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I T E S 



MINISTER OF CHRIST FOR THE TIMES, 



JDrcram from % ^oltj Scripturte. 



BY 



CHAELES ADAMS. 







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PUBLISHED BY LANE k SCOTT, 
200 Mulberry-street. 

JOSEPH LONGKING, PRINTER. 

1850. 



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Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1850, by 
LANE & SCOTT, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the Southern 
District of New- York, 






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INTRODUCTION. 



An effort is made in the following pages 
to delineate, with simplicity and brevity, 
the Scriptural picture of a Christian minis- 
ter. Many excellent books have appeared, 
at different periods, specially designed for 
the aid and benefit of the ministry ; yet 
with none of these, it is hoped, will this 
volume interfere. A mere description is 
its scope, — an humble endeavour to mark 
the ambassador of Christ by the infallible 
notes of inspiration. It is a growing con- 
viction of the author, that we cannot too 
constantly and sacredly abide within the 
Bible atmosphere, in order to the clear per- 
ception of saving truth. All here " is pro- 
fitable." Here is true wisdom and eternal 
life. Declining from this to any human 
standard of ministerial qualifications and 
character^ we put in peril the truth on so 
important a theme, and may expect, at 



4 INTRODUCTION. 

the best, but a partial approach toward 
the genuine ideal of an ambassador of 
the Lord Jesus. Who shall portray for 
us one of God's ministers but God him- 
self? " Should not a people seek unto 
their God ? To the law and to the tes- 
timony : if they speak not according to 
this word, it is because there is no light 
in them." 

But the book here presented to the pub- 
lic assumes, by no means, to be the first to 
exhibit the Biblical idea of a gospel minis- 
ter. Nor does it at all assume to have 
developed this idea more exactly, fully, or 
happily, than it has been done before by 
wiser and better men. The author only 
claims to have taken his eye away from 
most that men have thought and written, 
and to have inquired at the mouth of God. 

In publishing the results of such inquiry, 
he is aware that he lays himself open to 
criticism. The form of the composition 
may be deemed peculiar, and not answer- 
ing faithfully to the canons of correct taste. 
The style may, in some respects, seem 



INTRODUCTION. 5 

equally peculiar ; while, also, there will be 
discerned a degree of repetition, as well of 
remark as of Scripture quotation, arising 
mainly from the plan of the book. Nor, 
further, would it be strange if some excep- 
tions should be taken at what might seem 
too great a minuteness of detail in respect 
to the traits of character enumerated. 

The author begs leave, in forestalling 
these and similar strictures, simply to re- 
fer again to the object in view ; namely, 
with materials drawn from that volume 
which belongs to the race, and to the latest 
age of probation, to bring out a straight- 
forward, perspicuous, and faithful view of 
a perfect Christian minister — a minister 
for the times, and for all time. 

Nor is he disposed to conceal that - • the 
times " have not been without their influ- 
ence in prompting him to this effort. He 
was reminded that the sun of this pass- 
ing century is hanging in awful sublimity 
near its meridian ; — that his own years, 
and those of his brethren, are hastening 
by, and are about to be finished ;— that, 



6 INTRODUCTION. 

meanwhile, the sounds from the four 
winds are unusual. Nations are heav- 
ing — thrones are tottering — barriers are 
breaking — freedom is advancing — anti- 
christ is weeping — angels are looking ; — 
and if, in this world's history, there was 
ever a time for Christ's ministers to be 
awake — to be strong, and labour, and hope, 
is it not at this Present ? 

With impressions like these, the author 
wrote what follows. Such as the book 
is, it is submitted to a candid public, 
and especially to his younger brethren in 
the ministry, with devout prayer that it 
may interest and encourage some one 
or more that are longing for the largest 
usefulness. 

June 1, 1849, 



CONTENTS, 



PART L 

THE MINISTER FOR THE TIMES AS A MAN. 

Pardon Page 13 

Dedication 15 

Death to the world 17 

Regeneration 19 

Adoption 21 

Commission 23 

Singleness 24 

Faith 26 

Sobriety 29 

Sorrow 30 

Rejoicing 32 

Earnestness 34 

Quietness 35 

Patience 36 

Humility . 38 

Wisdom 39 

Gentleness - 41 

Fearlessness 43 

Affection « „ , . . . 45 

Purity 47 

Conscientiousness 48 

Concealment 50 

Oonspicuousness 51 

Solitude. •'-..- 53 



8 CONTENTS. 

Sociality Page 54 

Reputation 57 

Hospitality 58 

Temperance 60 

GlFTEDNESS _. „ 61 

Order 63 

Industry 64 

Strength 67 

Readiness 69 

Disinterestedness 70 

Self-denial 72 

Watchfulness. « 74 

Prayer 76 

Praise 78 

Aggressiveness 80 

Catholicity 83 

Dignity 86 

Health 87 

Independence 89- 

Manliness « 91 



PART II. 

THE MINISTER FOR THE TIMES AS A STUDENT* 

Study 95 

The Bible 99 

Theology 102 

Church History 104 

Preaching 106 

Mankind - 108 

Diligence 110 

Faithfulness 112 

Perseverance ,.. 113 



CONTENTS. 9 

PART III. 

THE MINISTER FOR THE TIMES AS A PREACHER. 

Preaching Page 119 

Intellectual 122 

Instructive 123 

Experimental 125 

Doctrinal 127 

Practical. •. 129 

Biblical 131 

Various 133 

Simple 134 

Definite 136 

Feeling 138 

Serious 140 

Bold 141 

Faithful 143 

Cautious 144 

Discriminating 146 

Able 147 

Affectionate 149 

Believing 150 

Joyous * „ 152 

Eloquent 153 

Evangelical 154 

Acceptable 157 

Spiritual 158 

Successful » 160 

PART IV. 

THE MINISTER FOR THE TIMES AS A PASTOR, 

Pastorate 165 

Intelligence 168 

Circulation „ ».. 170 



10 CONTENTS. 

System Page 171 

Consecration 173 

Vigilance 174 

Lowliness 176 

Discretion 178 

Skill . 179 

long-suffering i 180 

Accommodation 182 

Discipline 183 

Benevolence 185 

Courteousness 186 

Sympathy 188 

Charity « : 189 

Impartiality „ 191 

Peaceableness 192 

Consolation 194 

Mindfulness of the Young 196 

Spirituality 198 

EXEMPLARINESS 199 

CONCLUSION 203 



|3art lirat. 



THE MINISTER FOR THE TIMES 

AS A MAN. 



NOTES 



THE MINISTER OF CHRIST FOR THE TIMES. 



" Being justified" — Rom. v, 1. 

The minister for the times is a pardoned man. He 
has repented of sin, and forsaken it. He has sought 
mercy, and obtained it. He has entered into the 
great and mysterious grace of justification by faith. 
He has seen himself an utter sinner — he has beheld 
his moral nakedness. He has compared himself 
with the law of God, and has clearly beheld his 
native and practical character to have been that of 
a transgressor. He has seen himself, by the law, 
utterly, irretrievably, and eternally condemned. He 
has profoundly felt that of himself he is lost, and, 
under this conviction, has fled to another. He has 
looked to Christ, as the wounded Israelites looked 
upon the brazen serpent. He has contemplated 
another's righteousness — the " righteousness of 
God:" — a righteousness perfect — sublime — infi- 
nite. This righteousness has been proffered to him- 
self, with which, as with a garment of celestial 



14 MINISTER OF CHBIST 

beauty, he may clothe his nakedness. This gar- 
ment he has ventured to receive, — this he has trem- 
blingly put on. To his utter astonishment he has 
understood and felt that Christ, who knew no sin, 
has been made sin for the sinner, that he might be 
made the righteousness of God in Christ. In other 
words, the infinitely righteous Saviour has come to 
the sinner — exchanged robes with him, taking upon 
himself the spotted garment, and throwing upon 
the "ungodly" His own celestial adorning. Infi- 
nite Justice looked, and was satisfied. The dark 
catalogue of "sins past" sunk as to annihilation. 
They were not imputed more, but became as though 
they had never had an existence — as far removed as 
from angel beings, while he who committed them 
was counted blameless as angel innocence. Ay, 
more than this ; he is accounted righteous also. 
For, when the Psalmist writes of the blessedness 
of the man to whom the Lord imputeth not iniqui- 
ty, Paul observes to us that David is describing the 
blessedness of the man to whom the Lord imputeth 
righteousness. Thus he is pardoned ;— thus he is 
counted righteous through Christ by faith ; know- 
ing the grace of Him who, though he was rich, yet 
for our sakes became poor, that we, through his 
poverty, might be rich. 

He is pardoned. Nor does he live and act in 
dark uncertainty touching this his gracious state. 
He has sought and obtained a faith, amounting to 
a blessed persuasion, that God is reconciled. He 
knows in whom he has believed. He counts him- 



FOR THE TIMES. 15 

self justified. From the righteousness of God — 
from the almighty grace of Christ abounding to- 
ward him, he removes his eye never. He looks- 
sees — believes. Under this persuasion he acts; 
while every act is strangely modified by such per- 
suasion. 



II. 

" Christ is all" — Col. iii, 11. 

The minister for the times is a dedicated man. He 
has committed himself and everything to Jesus 
Christ. He has given his being to the Lord, and 
Christ is his life. He exists, and moves, and acts 
in Him, because for him to live is Christ. Every 
thought bends toward Christ, for he has set the 
Lord always before him. His devotion is full — his 
dedication is perpetual. His union with Christ is 
as that of the branch with the stem. Christ is in 
every word — -in every breath. He is ever looking 
into the glorious countenance of his Saviour. He 
feels His heavenly breath — he constantly hears His 
voice. Each whisper of the breeze — each murmur 
of the brook — each song of sprightly bird — each 
season as it advances and retires — each storm and 
calm — each sun and cloud — all men and plants be- 
low, and every star of heaven above — all, as they 
meet the contemplations of this man, are, in his 
mind, wedded to Christ, the Lord of all, in loved 
and holy association. With him, nothing is sepa- 



16 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

rate from the great Sun and Centre of salvation. 
His eye traces carefully one and all of those golden 
threads which connect this scene of things with 
Him by whom and for whom they are and were 
created. Deeply in his heart he purposes to know 
nothing save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. He 
dwells with Christ as with an elder brother, and 
often, often speaks to Christ ; while Christ responds 
as often in heavenly whisperings. He looks into 
his Bible, and certainly hears Christ speaking to 
him there. He kneels in his closet, and is assured 
that Christ is listening. Like Isaac, he goes out to 
meditate at eventide, and Christ is at his side, and 
he walks with God. He lies down upon his couch, 
and Christ communes with him in the night-watches. 
He rises and applies himself to his studies, and has 
Christ for his teacher. He goes out on his pasto- 
ral visits, and in whatever house he enters, whether 
its inmates be friends or foes, Christ is sure to be 
one of the company, and hear and approve that 
faithful warning, or that kind consolation. With 
Christ he enters the sanctuary, and there his eye 
is filled with the Lord of the temple. Christ is in 
every song — in every prayer — in every instruction, 
lifting up the heart of the consecrated minister with 
the delicious hope of glory. His head reclines ever- 
more upon the bosom of Jesus, and his every move- 
ment is as by the pulsation of that immaculate heart 
which loved, and pitied, and bled for the world. 
He ever tends Christward. He ever looks — ever 
desires — ever receives. He converses with his Lord 



FOR THE TIMES. 17 

as a man converses with his friend. He loves Christ 
with all his soul, and longs for nothing in the uni- 
verse so much as to be in all things completely con- 
formed to his Master's will. 



III. 

"Loss of all things." — Phil, iii, 8. 

The minister for the times is an unworldly man. 
Dedicated to Jesus, he has, of course, renounced 
the pomp and glory of this transient world. It 
enchanted him once, — rising to his vision in all the 
fascination of brilliant promise, joyous hope, and 
transcendent beauty. Here was his heaven — the 
desire of his heart — the idol of his being. In his 
dream, he forgot that life is a vapour — that time is 
a span — that beauty and music die — that heaven 
is all. It is different now. He is transformed in 
the spirit of his mind. God has met him and 
touched him. Boundless grace, employing one or 
another instrumentality, has renewed him. A kind 
and gentle baptism, like the shower of softest dew, 
may have fallen upon him; or, more likely, his 
heart was crushed by disappointment, — -earth be- 
came suddenly wrapped in gloom, — he turned away, 
burdened, and weary, and sick, and gave his mortal 
interest up, and died to earth, and lived henceforth 
to heaven. The change was complete, and his 
treasure is no longer on earth, nor his affections or 
his hopes. Now he is a stranger and a pilgrim, 
2 



18 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

He is passing, and his home is away in heaven. 
He meddles not with earthly riches or gain. His 
desires for fame are crucified. Even his hopes of 
renown as a Christian and Christian minister, are 
dismissed. He has set himself as steel against 
every alluring influence breathed over him, and by 
which so many beauteous lights have become 
quenched forever. He receives the great grace, 
that causes to perish out of his heart the last lin- 
gerings of woiidliness. Living in the world, he yet 
lives above it, — treading beneath his feet its plea- 
sures and its prospects. What things were gain 
to him, those he counts loss for Christ ; — yea, doubt- 
less, he counts all things but loss for the excellency 
of the knowledge of Christ Jesus his Lord. The 
position of this minister relatively to this world and 
its attractions, is very much as we might imagine 
would be that of an angel spirit who might be de- 
puted to reside here, for a time, on some mission 
of heavenly mercy. That celestial being, we might 
suppose, would hasten to accomplish his work. 
While here, he would feel himself abroad in a fo- 
reign and stormy world. He would seek no con- 
nexion with earth, other than what might be neces- 
sary for the fulfilment of his mission. He would 
no more think of becoming wedded to this scene 
of things, than would the weeping exile dream of 
an attachment to the wild and frightful wilderness 
where, far from his native home, he roams forlorn. 
Fading and empty must appear such a world to 
the visitant from above, and he would long to fin- 



FOR THE TIMES. 19 

ish his work, that he might hasten away to mingle 
in the far more lovely and desirable scenes of his 
heavenly home. 

Thus the minister for the times. A great and 
solemn work is before him on earth. He retires 
presently. The world above waits, with its ex- 
ceeding rewards, for his coming. He relinquishes 
earth. 



IV. 

" Born again!' — John iii, 3. 

The minister for the times is a renewed man. Christ 
met him in justification, and gave him the right- 
eousness of God ; whereby his sins were buried, 
and "the ungodly" was counted righteous. This 
astonishing work was wrought for him, and external 
to him ; yet, simultaneously with this process, God 
also wrought in him. He changed his habits — his 
character — his heart. He washed him with the 
washing of regeneration, and renewed him with 
the renewing of the Holy Ghost. The Spirit of 
God came, and worked in him mightily — creating 
in him a clean heart, and renewing in him a right 
spirit. His views are changed ; for whereas he 
was once blind, he now sees, and he looks not at 
the things which are seen, but at the things which 
are not seen. His desires are changed ; for they 
have risen from the sensual to the spiritual — from 
earth to heaven. His are unutterable yearnings 
toward God and Christ. " Whom have I in hea- 



20 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

ven but thee, and there is none upon the earth that 
I desire besides thee," is his earliest and latest song. 
His tempers and affections are changed. The rough 
is made plain. The lion is become a lamb. The 
injurious is become innocent, and the fruits of the 
Spirit are manifested in him: — love, joy, peace, 
long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meek- 
ness, and temperance. There is a fresh creation. 
Old things are passed — all is new. The change 
from winter's cold and storms, to summer's sweet 
bloom, is not so great. The change from one world 
to another world, is not so great. The change from 
chaos to the new-formed paradise and the green 
earth, was not so great nor so illustrious. " For, 
behold, I create a new heaven and a new earth, 
and the former shall not be remembered, neither 
come into mind. But be ye glad, and rejoice for- 
ever in that which I create ; for, behold, I create 
Jerusalem a rejoicing, and my people a joy." 

Such is the great and radical change that has 
passed over this minister of the Lord Jesus. The 
image of Jesus he bears — His spirit he breathes — 
His mind he possesses — in His nature he partici- 
pates — with His soul he sympathizes. God has 
wrought a wondrous work for him, for his pardon 
is written in heaven. God has wrought a wondrous 
work in him, for he is washed ; — he is sanctified, as 
well as justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus, 
and by the Spirit of his God. Now, as he preaches, 
he will call men to holiness. He will preach that 
men should repent. He will turn the hearts of the 



FOR THE TIMES. 21 

people to the Lord their God. He will aim to pre- 
sent every man perfect in Christ Jesus ; and, being 
a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of 
faith, much people will be added to the Lord. 



V. 

" Sons of God." — 1 John iii, 2. 

The minister for the times is an adopted man. He 
is adopted of God, and a member of the family of 
heaven. Once a stranger and a foreigner, an alien 
from the commonwealth of Israel, he is now not 
only renewed, but exalted to be a son, a child of 
the Lord. He has received the spirit of adoption, 
and cries, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself bears 
witness with his spirit that he is a child of God. 

This, his sublime relation, he never forgets. The 
contemplation hereof works its influence amid all 
the steps and movements of his ministry. It aids 
his renunciation of this world, for here is not the 
home of his Father's family. It aids his entire 
consecration to that Christ who has purchased for 
him such an amazing honour. It aids to produce 
unbounded trust in that Father who will not suffer 
one of his little ones to perish. It aids to all-en- 
rapturing views of the heavenly inheritance ; for 
what will the Lord Almighty not provide for his 
sons and daughters ! It aids to flee from all un- 
cleanness — to cultivate all holiness ; for such are 
they to whom He will be a father. It aids to peace- 



22 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

ableness, gentleness, meekness, modesty, patience, 
long-suffering, forgiveness, and charity ; for these 
are the qualities of such as are the children of God. 
It aids him to endure chastening without despising 
it, and rebuke without fainting ; for whom the Lord 
loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom 
he receiveth. It aids him thus not only to endure, 
but to rejoice exceedingly in all the tribulations laid 
upon him — furnishing him, as they do, so impor- 
tant an evidence of his being a child of God; for 
what son is he whom his father chasteneth not? 
It aids him to follow hard after the Spirit's blessed 
influences ; for as many as are led by the Spirit of 
God, they are the sons of God. It aids him to run 
a mighty race for the souls of men ; for he would 
elevate all mankind to the same exalted privilege 
of being the sons of God. It aids and sustains all 
love and zeal toward God ; for he contemplates God 
as his father. It aids immeasurably to excite his 
astonishment in view of the great grace of the gos- 
pel ; for behold what manner of love the Father 
hath bestowed on us, that we should be called the 
sons of God ! It aids this minister to look down 
upon all worldly distinctions, honours, and plea- 
sures as of no account ; for he is a member of the 
heavenly kindred — and his mansion is prepared on 
high — and angels are his associates — and Christ is 
his brother — and God is his everlasting Father. 

Such is his sublime relation. He may go forth, 
and never despond again. He will act, along these 
eventful years, as a son of the Highest. Let him 



FOR THE TIMES. 23 

lay his hand in his great Father's. He will go with 
him; and, if he be faithful, he shall be gathered 
when the righteous shall shine as the sun in the 
kingdom of their Father. 



VI. 

" Called of God."— Heb. v, 4. 

The minister for the times is a commissioned man. 
He has not assumed the solemn work and respon- 
sibility of a Christian minister without the requisite 
warrant. He has not presumed to "take upon 
himself " this honour, as one would undertake a 
mere worldly profession. He enters not upon this 
work because earthly kindred may have thus de- 
signed, or because the partiality of friends may 
have judged him adapted and called to so momen- 
tous a mission. He has felt himself moved, by a 
voice above all that is human, to take upon himself 
this office and work. The Spirit of God has call- 
ed him ; — moved him to prepare body, mind, and 
heart ; — mightily aided his efforts for such prepa- 
ration ; — endued him with power from on high ; — 
lodged the gospel word within his heart as fire shut 
up in his bones ; — filled him with faith and the 
Holy Ghost, and sent him forth. Advancing thus, 
the Lord goes with him, and is with him always 
even unto the end, and works with him with signs 
following. Opening his mouth, he speaks with au- 
thority, and his speech and his preaching are not 



24 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

* 

with enticing words of men's wisdom, but in demon- 
stration of the Spirit and of power. The saints are 
instructed— -animated — sanctified. The inquirer af- 
ter salvation sees Christ " set forth," and believes. 
The slumberer awakes, and asks what he must do 
to be saved. This labourer in the gospel never la- 
bours in vain, because he is doing the work to which 
God has called him. A dispensation of the gospel 
is committed to him. Nor is it optional with him 
whether he shall proclaim this blessed message, or 
be silent ; for there is a wo upon him if he preaches 
not the gospel. " Go thou and preach," is the 
voice of God to him. Should he decline, it would 
be at the peril of his happiness ; and going " wil- 
lingly," his reward is before him. 



VII. 

" One thing I do!' — Phil, iii, 13. 

The minister for the times is a single-minded man. 
He has settled the matter fully and forever, that 
oneness of pursuit is indispensable to distinguished 
success in any important enterprise. Salvation is 
his one sublime purpose, as it was the purpose of 
his great Master. Here is the goal toward which 
all his energies tend. He takes no step — touches 
no book — holds no conversation — writes no line — 
indulges no recreation, inconsistent with this all- 
controlling point. A hundred things which many 
good men, and many ministers, allow in themselves, 



FOR THE TIMES. 25 

this minister cuts off entirely. His meditations are 
upon the things of his ministry. He gives himself 
wholly to them, and continues in them. He deter- 
mines not to know anything among the people save 
Jesus Christ, and him crucified. His eye looks 
right on, and his eyelids straight before him. Each 
book — essay — conversation — anecdote ; — each pro- 
vidence, prosperous or adverse ; — all heaven, earth, 
and hell, are laid under contribution for the effect- 
ing of his object. He is a man of one work — com- 
prehensively of one book— one thought — one wish. 
True, he has various accomplishments, and acts 
amid varied scenes and in varied capacities ; still 
his mind wavers not — the " mark " is before him, 
and fills his eye, while he presses toward it ever- 
more. Christ came into the world — to save sin- 
ners. Paul made every innocent compliance — that 
he might, by all means, save some. Mills deter- 
mined — that he would savingly influence the world. 
Martin ran after — the glory of God in the salvation 
of sinners. Wesley girded himself for — a univer- 
sal revival of religion. This, exactly this, is the 
genius of the minister for the times. Perhaps never 
were there greater allurements presented to the 
minds of ministers, to tempt them to a division of 
affection and pursuit. Abundant libraries — attract- 
ive lectures — literary and theological discussions — 
ingenious theories — fascinating circles — honourable 
appointments — flattering commendations — these, 
and the like, combined with native downward ten- 
dencies, are far too prone to cloud the spiritual 



26 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

vision, and induce the minister to forget the one 
great purpose of his mission. There is wanting 
now a race of ministers of singleness of soul — of 
one, indomitable purpose, — living and running for 
salvation only ; — in whose minds all else, whether 
in the literary, social, or physical world, is as the 
dust of the balance. This is the greatest want of 
the world. Greater talents are not needed. Learn- 
ing, there is an abundance of it. Theologians — 
writers — scholars, are not lacking. A concentration 
is demanded, of energies already in the ministry, to 
the one great pursuit — the salvation of the race. 

Man of God, what now ! A sinner is about to 
perish forever. Christ has found a ransom. He 
commissions you to publish it to that sinner, that 
he may be saved. Shall anything hinder ? Shall 
aught else come into mind ? 



VIII. 

"Established in the faith" — Col. ii, 7. 

The minister for the times is a believing man. He 
believes God. He believes God speaking through 
the prophets of olden time. He receives the wit- 
ness that was thus given to the coming Messiah. 
He believes Christ speaking personally in the gos- 
pel message, and by inspiration through his apos- 
tles. He receives the Bible, and the whole Bible ; 
undertaking not to prescribe what God ought to 
say, but to understand what he has said, and then 



FOR THE TIMES. 27 

to believe. The great central truth of revelation — 
Christ crucified — is full in his eye. Here he looks 
and believes, while he wonders and triumphs. All 
other essential faith follows of course ; for this 
great truth, as it were the sun of the universe, illu- 
minates all else that God hath spoken. In the 
splendour of its rays, it is easy to see and believe 
the doctrine of the Godhead — that of the fall and 
inherent corruption of man — of repentance — of 
pardon by faith — of regeneration, and entire holi- 
ness by the Spirit's baptism — of a coming judg- 
ment, followed by eternal life and glory to the be- 
liever, and final and irretrievable ruin to the neg- 
lecter of the great salvation. Such is the sublime 
system of truth believed firmly by the minister I 
am describing. And not only is it pictured, in vivid 
colours, upon his mind, — it is written, as with the 
point of a diamond, upon his heart, for with the 
heart man believeth unto righteousness. His faith 
makes the things believed to be great and divine 
realities. It is the substance of things hoped for, 
the evidence of things not seen. It mightily influ- 
ences his whole character, spirit, and conduct. He 
believes, and therefore speaks — acts. "He loved 
me, and gave himself for me" is his thorough per- 
suasion ; and, believing, he rejoices with joy unspeak- 
able and full of glory. " He gave himself a ransom 
for all," is also his thorough persuasion, and he flies 
to bring all the world to the feet of Jesus — to remis- 
sion, and sanctification, and salvation. He not only 
reads and hears of a judgment to come, but he sees it. 



28 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

The trump of God — the mighty angels — the great 
white throne — the Son of man in his glory — the 
far-reaching multitude — the strange separation — 
the all-eventful sentences of welcome and rejection 
— these rise on his vision, not as poetry or dreams, 
but as grave realities ; and knowing the terrors of 
the Lord, he persuades men. Hell, with him, is 
no fiction. The devil and his angels — the undying 
curse — the torment — the utter despair — the pit, — 
these he contemplates, and warns the sinner to flee 
from the wrath to come. Heaven — its mansions of 
rest— its river of life — its tree of immortality — its 
robes of white — its forms of beauty — its crowns of 
honour— its songs of glory — its angelic society — 
its sinless, tearless, endless happiness ; — these, all 
these, though not seen, are yet " substance " to this 
minister. Living as in eternity, sure prospects are 
before him, through Christ, such as are most asto- 
nishing ; — prospects of a destiny more enchanting 
by far than have ever "sages told or poets sung." 
We look not at the things which are seen, but 
at the things which are not seen ; for the things 
which are seen are temporal, but the things which 
are not seen are eternal. 



FOR THE TIMES. 29 

IX. 

"Be sober."— 2 Thess. v, 6. 

The minister for the times is a sober man. He is 
sober in spirit, and always sober. Not that he 
never smiles ; — not that he is gloomy, and without 
cheerfulness ; — not that he possesses not one of the 
gladdest hearts among men. But he never trifles ; 
— his thoughts are serious — his mind is grave. His 
meditations are not occupied with empty and frivo- 
lous topics. They habitually linger rather with 
great and weighty themes. 

He is sober in conversation. Not that he is for- 
bidding, or dull, or heavy. He may be inferior to 
none in vivacity, ease, and attractiveness ; but he is 
not volatile — he does not jest. His words are not 
very many; but they are well chosen, graceful, 
gracious, and uttered with cheerful seriousness. 
His conversation never does harm — its influence is 
always salutary. 

He is sober in his general aspect and manners. 
He never flirts. He does not hurry nor worry. 
He is not greatly agitated or disturbed. He avoids 
eccentricities and oddities. He is ever found the 
same serious, solid character. 

He is sober in the sanctuary — he is sober in de- 
votion — God is there ; sober in sentiment, he avoids 
every untenable theory, every unscriptural or vain 
speculation ; sober in manner, he speaks neither 
too long nor too loud. He bdulges no gesture 



80 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

unsuitable to the pulpit, or incongruous with his 
theme. 

This minister is sober. How, otherwise, could 
he pray, and praise, and rejoice evermore ? How 
could he travel amid the great truths of revelation ? 
How could he qualify himself to preach? How 
could he watch for souls, and save his people ? 

" He that negotiates between God and man, 
As God's ambassador, the grand concerns 
Of judgment and of mercy, should beware 
Of lightness." 



X. 

" Sorrowful!' — 2 Cor. viii, 10. 

The minister for the times is a sorrowful man. Nor 
is this a new thing. It was thus with holy ones 
of old. David's sorrow was continually before him 
as he contemplated the enemies of righteousness; 
while rivers of waters ran down his eyes because 
men kept not God's law. Jeremiah desired to be, 
day and night, dissolved in tears for the wickedness 
of the people. It was in sorrow and in suffering 
that Christ redeemed the world. He was a man 
of sorrows, and acquainted with grief. Exceeding 
sorrowful was his soul, even unto death. His dis- 
ciples, too, were to weep, and lament, and be sor- 
rowful, while the world would rejoice. Paul had 
continual sorrow of heart because of his Jewish 
brethren, and was in afflictions and distresses 
"often," 



FOR THE TIMES. 31 

So the man who is the minister for these times. 
He will not look abroad upon the multifarious forms 
of sin without weeping. He will see God dishon- 
oured here and there, and he will mourn. While 
beholding infinite riches of grace laid at the sinner's 
feet, and rejected by that sinner, his heart will burst. 
Contemplating vast multitudes tending straight to- 
ward ruin, he will weep and cry in secret places. 
Hanging over the congregation with the gospel 
message, it will be often as a mourner that so few 
take hold of the path of life. 

He sorrows also for himself. Alas ! how much 
of the past has been squandered ! How many gold- 
en days are lost forever ! How sad his felt defi- 
ciencies this moment ! He weeps for himself — 
weeps for the world. He is, in a sense, a partaker 
of the sufferings of Christ. He is abroad in a sin- 
ful, stormy world — a revolted province of the King 
of kings. Rebellion is rife — righteousness is pros- 
trate — an eternal enemy riots and triumphs, and 
leads captive at his will. The voice of warning is 
met with the delusive cry of peace and safety. 
Blindness and darkness cover the earth, while the 
sure prospect seems to be that millions must perish 
forever. The minister is sorrowful. At times a 
deep and awful amazement seizes him. He looks 
up, and sighs, and cries for the salvation of God. 
"Drop down, ye heavens, from above/' he sighs, 
" and let the skies pour down righteousness. Let 
the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, 
and let righteousness spring up together." 



32 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

XI. 

'Always rejoicing." — 2 Cor. vi, 10. 

The minister for the times is a rejoicing man. It 
is not all sorrow with him ; — it is never sorrow, so 
as to exclude joy and rejoicing. He weeps over 
the prevalence of sin, and the wretchedness, present 
and eternal, following in its train. Yet he is a be- 
lieving, a sanctified man. He has peace with God, 
and joy in the Holy Ghost. The peace which pass- 
eth understanding is his. The life of God is in his 
soul. His sins past are hidden — his name is writ- 
ten in heaven. He loves Christ perfectly, with the 
glorious assurance that Christ loves him. The mys- 
tery of salvation perpetually astonishes his mind, 
and ravishes his heart. The cross allures, and 
charms his soul forever. Such is his vision of the 
grace of Christ, that all things else grow dim to 
his eye. He counts all as loss for the excellency. 
All language is beggarly to express the glory he 
contemplates. The natural eye hath not seen it ; 
to the unsanctified mind it has never occurred ; but 
to him the Spirit of God has revealed it. The heirs 
of heaven are scattered here and there ; while up- 
ward, amid the multitude, shoot the songs of the 
redeemed, rising on the ear of God. The Sabbath 
is there, and the sanctuary is open, whither he walks 
in company with the excellent of the earth — those 
dearest to him, dearest to heaven. The Scriptures 
are opened to him more and more, sanctifying him 



FOB, THE TIMES. 33 

more and more deeply ; dispelling the mists along 
his pathway, as he hastens to the bright morning 
of immortality. Meanwhile, a sinner repents on the 
right hand or on the left, and, though earth is silent, 
he must needs sympathize with the joy of angels ; 
and, trusting the sweet visions of prophecy, he sees 
a great company coming up from many dark nations, 
to be given for an inheritance to Christ. Then why 
should not his eye turn often away toward the hills 
of life? There is his treasure — there is his heart 
— there his home. He approaches the New Jeru- 
salem. Already soft breathings, at times, from 
those sacred regions, seem wafted to meet him ; 
while voices thence, dearer than all below, whisper 
along the air, "We wait thy coming." Out of 
dark sorrows and afflictions here, is about to emerge, 
as from some cold eclipse, a sunshine of supernal 
radiance and immortal beauty — a far more exceed- 
ing and eternal weight of glory. 

Always rejoicing, then, always praising, onward 
this minister passes. A thousand worldly, guilty 
eyes pursue him, wondering at his blessedness ; 
while backward on their hearts rolls the stern con- 
viction that he has a joy beyond their own, as the 
heavens are above the earth. 

The minister for the times is a rejoicing man. 
Write it, ye heralds of Jesus ! Ye behoove to fly 
on your heavenly errand with sprightly, joyous 
wing ; and those trumpet notes with which ye sum- 
mon a slumbering world to life, should be glad and 
brilliant, as though an angel sounded. 
3 



34 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

XII. 

"I run." — 1 Cor. ix, 26. 

The minister for the times is an earnest man. He 
has a great zeal for God. He has fixed his eye 
upon the most extensive salvation possible. The 
Spirit of the Lord is upon him ; and under the in- 
fluence of this baptism, in union with deep and pro- 
tracted ponderings amid the Holy Scriptures, his 
soul is enkindled — his heart has grown "warm with 
holy fire." He is awake, and erect, and glowing, 
and flashing. He feels a strong and divine impulse 
urging him forward and upward. He is ready to 
run through a troop, and leap over a wall. He is 
girded to chase a thousand. He rims a race ; and 
the past is forgotten, and the goal is before him, 
and he presses toward the mark. The general 
movements of this man are spirited, and strong, and 
definite. His step is firm and elastic. His motion 
is quick. His countenance is erect and direct. His 
eye is steady, his voice is decided. He is not an 
ordinary man, for he strikes for a great object — one 
that takes up and absorbs his being; and how is 
he straitened till it be accomplished ! He has caught 
the spirit of the era through which he is passing. 
The world is in earnest. Myriads of spindles fly at 
every waterfall. Commerce mantles the ocean. 
Moving villages are rushing in every direction 
through the country. Companies, bearing their 
habitations with them, are hastening to the utter- 
most parts of the earth to search for gold. The 



FOR THE TIMES. 35 

mysteries of Science are unfolding daily before the 
untiring zeal of her devotees. All is in motion — 
all is in earnest. The true minister sympathizes. 
Elijah girds up his loins and runs with Ahab ; — 
ay, outstrips him even. But the " hand of the 
Lord " is upon him. 



XIII. 

"Be stilir— Psa. xlvi, 10. 

The minister for the times is a quiet man. Quiet 
is he, not as opposed to the fervency and fire just 
delineated — not as opposed to all holy movement. 
But he is quiet instead of all graceless hurry ; — in- 
stead of all that is bustle merely ; — instead of all 
running where God leads not ; — instead of all fear 
that hath torment ; — instead of all distrust in the 
ever faithful God. He is quiet as ISToah, when, in 
good earnest, he prepared for the coming storm ; — 
quiet as Abraham, when, believing God, he jour- 
neyed to Moriah to make the mysterious offering ; 
— quiet as Joseph, waiting in the Egyptian prison- 
house ; — quiet as Moses, when, with the flood be- 
fore them, and the hostile hosts behind them, he 
cried out to the Israelites, " Stand still, and see the 
salvation of God !" — quiet as David, when he not 
only hoped, but " quietly waited ;" — quiet as Paul 
and Silas in thHr nrd night worship in the inner 
prison ; — quiet, i say, as Paul, when, with his eye 
full upon coming bonds and afflictions, he exclaim- 



86 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

ed, " None of these things move me ;" or, when the 
axe of martyrdom was brought in, he writes, " I 
am ready." 

The minister for the times has the quietness which 
is one of the direct and beautiful progeny of faith. 
He that belie veth shall not make haste — he enter- 
eth into rest. It is the quiet of the eagle's wing, — 
a wing of movement mighty, yet gentle and noise- 
less as the pendulum's vibrations. Thus onward 
he moves, equable and peaceful, amid the rough- 
nesses of the minister's career. Enemies may arise, 
labours multiply, difficulties thicken, error stalk 
abroad, persecutions rage, and dungeons open ; yet 
he abideth under the shadow of the Almighty, and 
is quiet from the fear of evil. 



XIV. 

" In much patience? — 2 Cor. vi, 4. 

The minister for the times is a patient man. There 
are evil-doers ; — he frets not because of them. 
There are deep sufferings peculiar to the minister ; 
— he endures them without murmuring, and is pa- 
tient in tribulation. The servant first acts, and then 
is rewarded ; — he is patient that, after he has done 
the will of God, he may receive the promise. A 
great cloud of witnesses hang over him, as he strives 
for heaven ; — he runs the race with patience. The 
Lord is coming; — he is patient with the long pa- 
tience of the husbandman, knowing that the day is 



FOR THE TIMES. 37 

nigh. He patiently studies the Holy Scriptures; 
for no otherwise can he expect to bring thence new 
things and old. He patiently waits for a fuller 
manifestation of things which are now wholly or 
partially mysterious, not doubting that all will be 
plain in due time. He patiently instructs the peo- 
ple ; knowing that line upon line, and precept upon 
precept, are needful to their edification and salva- 
tion. He patiently visits his flock, remembering 
the apostolic example of going from house to house, 
as well as of teaching in the temple. He bears up 
under diversified complaints — against all calumny 
and persecution — against the loss of all things ; be- 
ing assured that Jesus smiles upon him, and that 
all shall be well in the end. Storms fall upon him, 
and beat hard against him ; a horror of thick dark- 
ness overshadows him; his familiar friend lifts up 
his heel against him ; he bows, and suffers, and 
waits, not doubting that these heavings and dash- 
ings are lifting him upward to where the wicked 
cease from troubling, and where the weary be at 
rest. Meanwhile, is any earthly suffering too long, 
or too heavy to be borne, for the welfare of those 
for whom Christ died ? 



38 MINISTER OP CHRIST 

XV. 

" Clothed with humility!' — 1 Pet. v, 5. 

The minister for the times is an humble man. The 
native and active corruption of his heart has been 
portrayed to his eye. He has counted a few of his 
transgressions. He has known and pondered him- 
self. The result is, that he has deliberately placed 
himself at the last end of the race. " Less than 
the least of all saints," and " chief of sinners," are 
formulas which he feelingly understands and un- 
feignedly applies. Hence there is no saint, how- 
ever lowly, poor, or neglected, to whom he would 
not count it an honour to administer. There is no 
work pertaining to Christ's ministry to which he 
considers himself superior. There is no place, no 
neighbourhood, where he would not reckon it a 
privilege to publish Christ's gospel. No prefer- 
ence of others to himself disturbs him ; for, in his 
estimation, all are better than he. No obscurity 
of position distresses him; for any opportunity to 
serve Christ, he feels to be more than he deserves. 
To the honours, distinctions, as well as to the hopes 
of this world, he has become crucified. He walks 
in a lowly vale, and lingers at the feet of Jesus. 
He has given his reputation to God, submitting to 
be as the filth and offscouring of all things, and con- 
senting that his name should be cast out as evil. 
Pride is hidden from his heart. He is humble, 
and God gives him grace, while he knows the proud 



FOR THE TIMES. 39 

afar off. He is one of the " contrite ones ;" and He 
who inhabiteth eternity — dwells in the high and 
holy place — dwells with him, to revive his spirit 
and his heart. This man asks not what the world 
approves or disapproves — what it honours or de- 
spises; but what God wills — where duty calls — 
what the world demands. He serves the Lord with 
all humility of mind. He walks humbly with his 
God. 



XVI. 

" Wise as serpents." — Matt, x, 16. 

The minister for the times is a wise man. We mean 
that he strikes for a noble end, and is skilful in the 
choice of means for its accomplishment. His end, 
as we have seen, is the salvation of men. His 
efforts are correspondent and appropriate. He 
preaches ; — preaches the truth of God ; — preaches 
extensively and faithfully. With an eagle eye he 
watches the effect of his preaching, marking the 
first favourable impression, and aiming to deepen it 
and render it effectual. He goes from house to 
house. His gracious conversation follows hard after 
his sermons. He utters few words other than what 
tend to salvation. He enters the circle of prayer 
and sacred conference, and on the wings of holy 
devotion, he strives to bear all the company away 
to God. He flies to the weak, the doubting, the 
tempted, and lifts them up in the name of the Lord, 
and puts the adversary to flight. He reproves, re- 



40 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

bukes, exhorts, and exerts himself in whatever may 
conduce to the progress of evangelical reformation. 
He abides in the Spirit, and labours incessantly to 
bring all others to the same position. 

And while thus operating strongly — reaching 
forth to touch every active means for promoting 
salvation, it is with the mind and spirit of the Lord 
Jesus. There is no pride — no obtrusiveness — no 
ostentation — no unnecessary noise or clamour. He 
asks for no sounding of trumpets before him. He 
comes not with a rod, to drive men into the king 
dom of God. He would win them rather, and by 
every prudent means, and every wise and Scriptu- 
ral manner. He is not too rigid to bend, except 
from the line of righteousness and truth. He will 
cheerfully embrace every innocent conformity to 
different tastes and varying temperaments. He 
will thus adapt himself to Jew or Greek — high or 
low — learned or unlearned — aged or young — one 
or another name. He will become all things to all 
men, that he may by all means save some. His 
object is the greatest, the sublimest in human 
thought. His unceasing study is to accomplish it ; 
and the devoted student of Jesus fails not to be- 
come eminently wise in the things pertaining to the 
salvation of the race. 



FOB THE TIMES. 41 

XVII. 

"Harmless as doves" — Matt, x, 16. 

The minister for the times is a gentle man. This 
servant of the Lord is no striker. He does not 
strive, but is gentle to all men of every class and 
description. There is no anger, wrath, blasphemy, 
but the peace of God rules. There is the wisdom 
which is pure and gentle. There is the gentleness 
which is as that of the nurse, as she cherishes her 
children. There is the soft answer that turneth 
away wrath. There is the soft manner which never 
needlessly offends. Gentleness here goes hand in 
hand with earnestness. There is fiery zeal, yet 
never overleaping the bounds of truth, propriety, 
and decorum ; — a mighty and undying fervency, 
yet ever accompanied by a gentleness mild and 
beautiful as when the soft sunbeam plays along the 
swelling billow. I have known a man that prayed 
as though he spake with God face to face, and 
preached as though he had just alighted from eter- 
nity to deliver that sermon, and retire again forever 
at its close ; and spake to his fellow-men, as he met 
them, as though he were some heavenly being sent 
to whisper to them of eternal realities ; and hasted 
from place to place, and from church to church, as 
though he were the angel of the apocalypse flying 
with the everlasting gospel to preach ; and yet, 
with all his unearthly fervour and devotion, with 
all his flaming, burning zeal, his, too, were the mild- 



42 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

ness and gentleness of the unweaned lamb. He 
was a flaming fire, and yet he was a bland and 
lovely light, the rays whereof were soft and deli- 
cious as the outbeamings from celestial forms. He 
was a mighty man of God, and yet he was a little 
child, and his accents were those of tenderness, sim- 
plicity, and love. As he warned the multitudes 
that flocked to his preaching, it was with a solem- 
nity and awfulness of countenance, as if before that 
countenance were rising, in open vision, the dread 
realities to which he pointed the anxious hearer. 
And yet those features knew how to relax into the 
smile of friendship, or to be moistened by the tear 
of sympathy and affection. So with the minister 
who is adapted to this present age. He is destined 
to see much whose tendency is to disturb. He will 
meet a thousand unreasonable and wicked men. A 
multitude of disciples, worldly, weak, faltering, and 
erring, will pass before him. Divers provocations 
will assail him on the right hand and on the left. 
Full many a strong sermon, and solemn warning, 
and mighty exhortation, and tender entreaty, will 
seem to be as if " wasted on the desert air." Yet, 
amid all, he will move softly ; — he will possess his 
soul in patience and in gentleness. He will more 
often weep than scold ; — he will beckon rather than 
drive ; — he will entreat rather than chastise. 

With gentleness he combines meekness. His 
eye is upon the conspicuous and beautiful example 
of Christ and the apostles. Reviled, he reviles not 
again. If hunted as a partridge upon the moun- 



FOR THE TIMES. 43 

tains, he is peaceful toward his enemies. Smitten 
upon one cheek, he turns the other also. Injured 
and oppressed, he blesses his persecutors. De- 
spitefully used, he prays for his vile adversaries. 
Defaming is recompensed with entreaty — reviling 
with blessing — hostility with hospitality — evil with 
good. Revenge is unknown with him. Every evil 
communication is dispensed with. The mind of 
Christ — the mind of meekness, forbearance, and 
long-suffering — is embraced and exemplified. 



XVIII. 

" Be not afraid, but speak? — Acts xviii, 9. 

The minister for the times is & fearless man. He 
is not dismayed at the faces of men. He girds him- 
self to go where God calls, and to speak what God 
commands. Infinite grace has made him a de- 
fenced city — an iron pillar and brazen walls, against 
all that do wickedly. He is not afraid of evil men, 
nor of their words, nor dismayed at their looks, 
though briers and thorns be with him, and though 
he dwell among scorpions. He fears not them 
which kill the body, but are not able to kill the 
soul. If Peter and John are forbidden to speak in 
the name of Jesus, they hearken to God rather 
than to men ; while, with all boldness, they speak 
his word. Paul speaks boldly, disputing and per- 
suading the things concerning the kingdom of God ; 
and if chains are clanking, and fires are burning, 



44 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

he is ready not to be bound only, but also to suf- 
fer death for the name of the Lord Jesus. His 
glory is, that Christ should be magnified in his 
body, whether it were by life or by death. 

The faithful and fearless minister of the gospel 
runs not uncalled into danger. He exposes not 
himself without necessity to the insults or displea- 
sure of the enemies of God. But these insults — 
this displeasure — frighten him never from the line 
of usefulness and duty. He has died to the world. 
He has resigned his reputation to Christ, and sub- 
mitted to be a fool for his sake. He is moved by 
lofty contemplations and views, and knows himself 
to be enlisted in the ranks of righteousness and 
truth. He knows that God is infinitely good and 
gracious ; while man is vile, and his face straight to- 
wards death and ruin. He knows there is a great 
salvation, by which the race might be actually re- 
deemed and blessed forever. He knows that all the 
affairs of earth are nothing in comparison with this. 
He knows that all men, without exception of age, 
rank, station, or capacity, should at once lay hold 
of life ; and that to bring all up to the heavenly 
glory, is, under God, the great work of the Church 
on earth. 

Fear, under such circumstances, is utterly mis- 
placed. The true minister is a soldier. He buckles 
on the harness, and braces up his heart, and puts 
on strength, and wars a good warfare. He opens 
his mouth wherever it is proper, and speaks boldly, 
as he ought to speak, the great things of God and 



FOR THE TIMES. 45 

salvation. He keeps back nothing that is profita- 
ble, but declares the whole counsel of God, regard- 
ing not the smiles or the frowns of men, but " look- 
ing unto Jesus," and to the sublime work he came 
to earth to accomplish. 



XIX. 

" Ye were dear!' — 1 Thess. ii, 8. 

The minister for the times is an affectionate man. 
He loves his neighbour as himself ; that is, he loves 
his fellow-men with a love that is great, and con- 
stant, and earnest, and practical. It is the love, 
not of a natural man, but of a minister of the Lord 
Jesus. It is kindred to the love that impelled Je- 
sus to this world, and impelled him to the cross, 
and that impels his unceasing intercessions in the 
Holy of Holies. It is identical with that apostolic 
love which flowed forth, a stream divine, upon all 
the world. We read of a love seeking not its own 
profit, but the profit of many, that they may be 
saved ; — a love that suffereth long and is kind — 
that behaveth not itself unseemly — is not easily 
provoked — thinketh no evil— beareth, belie veth, 
hopeth, endureth all things. There is a love that 
courts the largest, deepest earthly sacrifices, if man 
shall thereby be benefited and redeemed. There 
was a man, bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh, 
who could wish himself accursed from Christ for 
his brethren — his kinsmen according to the flesh ; — 



46 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

who counted not his life dear unto him that he 
might compass man's eternal weal; — who, year 
after year, ceased not to warn every one, night and 
day, with tears ; — who coveted no man's silver, or 
gold, or apparel; — who sought not theirs, but 
sought themselves ; — -who was " affectionately de- 
sirous " of the people, not for himself, but for 
them ; — who was willing to impart unto them not 
the gospel only, but his own soul, because they 
were dear unto him ; — who exhorted, and comfort- 
ed, and charged, as a father, his children ; — who 
very gladly spent all, for the rescue and happiness 
of lost men. 

This is the love we mean. This is the love which 
is born of God's Holy Spirit, and lives only in a gra- 
cious heart. It is the appropriate love glowing in 
that minister who is specially adapted to these 
eventful times. He has a love bearing him above 
all sordid considerations — all human and puny dis- 
tinctions — all opposition — all discouragements and 
weariness ; — a love that forever asks, " What shall 
I do that I may bless mankind?" — a love that 
wakes early and late — that is planning and contriv- 
ing evermore — that seizes upon all rational expe- 
dients — that forgets all neglect and injury — that 
asks not whether it shall be reciprocated, but 
whether it can bless — that swells with emotions 
unutterable for a world's immortal happiness — that 
weeps often in secret places — that yearns over the 
race with infinite longing — that triumphs, as with 
an angel's joy, when a sinner repents — that is ever 



FOR THE TIMES. 47 

rejoicing with them who rejoice, and weeping with 
them that weep — that glows and burns incessantly ; 
— a love that is strong as death — a flame most ve- 
hement, which many waters cannot quench, nor 
many floods can drown. 

This man passes swiftly on his strong career, for 
his flight is by love's resistless impulsion. His 
wing never falters, for it moves by an interior, un- 
earthly agency, " working mightily. " That voice — 
! how beautiful are its notes ! for a living coal, 
lifted by celestial hands from Heaven's altar, hath 
touched his lips. 



XX. 

" With all purity" — 1 Tim. v, 2. 

The minister for the times is a pure man. He has 
sought and obtained the cleansing grace of Christ. 
Confessing his sins, God is faithful and just to for- 
give him his sins, and to cleanse him from all un- 
righteousness. His heart has become the habita- 
tion of the Spirit. God dwells with him and in 
him, ever creating him anew, and transforming him 
after the image of the heavenly. By infinite grace 
all carnal affections die in him, and all things be- 
longing to the Spirit live and grow in him. He is 
a garden sealed. He turns away his eye from be- 
holding vanity, and is deaf to the fascinating song 
of sin. He tastes not — handles not — touches not. 
He leans each moment upon boundless grace, to 



48 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

avert from him every whisper, every breath of cor- 
ruption. With all his might he flies after God, and 
after good. He gives place to evil— no, not for a 
moment ; while he solicits to his mind all beautiful 
and holy associations. His heart is pre-occupied 
with whatsoever things are honest, just, pure, love- 
ly, and of good report. On these he thinks. These 
are the themes of his meditations when he rises at 
early morning — when he acts, studies, converses. 
All day long, and upon his couch in the night- 
watches, he is still with Christ. He is ever walk- 
ing and conversing with Him who is infinite purity 
and excellence ; while every day witnesses in him a 
nearer assimilation to the Holy One. Thus he 
" sees God ;" — sees him in air, earth, and sky ; — 
sees him in all the Scriptures ; — sees him in every 
providential event, whether great or small, whether 
joyous or sad. Moving hither and thither among 
men, he breathes a sacred influence on all, and his 
savour is that of righteousness and goodness. 



XXI. 

"A good conscience. — 1 Pet. iii, 16. 

The minister for the times is a conscientious man. 
In his profound and protracted study of the Holy 
Scriptures, he has come to possess elevated views 
of Christian and ministerial obligations. On the 
one hand, he has pondered the estate of man, fall- 
en and sinful, with eternal ruin in prospect. On 



FOR THE TIMES. 49 

the other hand, he has discerned the grace of God 
through Christ, as being fully commensurate with 
man's disaster, and a perfect antidote, if received, 
to his woful calamity. Then, again, he has con- 
templated himself as commissioned to stand be- 
tween the living and the dead, to proclaim authori- 
tatively the proffered mercy of God to the rebel- 
lious race, and, by every appropriate means, to 
urge their compliance with the conditions of par- 
don and everlasting life. He has perceived that 
much, very much, is depending upon his diligence 
and fidelity in this sublime work. He is aware that 
every step of his is influential either for weal or for 
wo. He is set for the rise or fall of many. He 
beholds the salvation of his fellow-men commit- 
ted, in a very serious sense, to his hands ; — that on 
his faithfulness or neglect hangs the salvation or 
ruin of many a precious soul. The Holy Spirit 
has baptized his conscience. He not only sees his 
duty, but is mightily drawn to its accomplishment. 
Every sin, of every kind and degree, is of awful 
magnitude in his eye ; and, should temptation urge, 
his response is, " How can I do this great thing 
and sin against God?" Christ is his all; — how 
can he suffer the least cloud to hang between him 
and his Saviour's countenance ? How can he bear 
to lie down at night, reflecting, as he presses his 
pillow, upon. time misspent, souls neglected, duties 
omitted ? As he passes onward through time, and 
approaches, each moment, the judgment-seat, how 
can he bear that any good remain unaccomplished 
4 



50 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

which he might have possibly secured ? He aims 
thus to live in all good conscience before God. He 
exercises himself to have always a conscience void 
of offence toward God and toward man; and as 
his rejoicing, he would have the testimony of his 
conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity — 
not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God — 
he has his conversation in the world. 



XXII. 

" Hid with Christ"— Col. iii, 3. 

The minister for the times is a hidden man. He is 
God's, and God is his hiding-place. How is the 
minister to go out amid the frowns, insults, dan- 
gers, and fiery trials incident to a faithful herald 
of the cross ? Goes he forth all exposed and un- 
protected ? No ! Christ is with him alway, even 
to the end of the world. Walls of fire are around 
him — a canopy of love is over him. Though in- 
visible to a worldly eye, yet the chariots of God 
fill all the mountain round about Elisha. The true 
minister's shield is God. His tower, his rock, his 
stronghold, is the Holy One of Israel. His dwell- 
ing is the secret place of the Most High — his abode 
is beneath the shadow of the Almighty. The wings 
of God cover him, and his refuge and his fortress 
are there. The terror of night, the arrow, the 
pestilence, the wasting destruction, have no alarms 
for him. The ruin on the right hand and on the 



FOR THE TIMES. 51 

left comes not near him. Angels have him in 
charge, and keep him as he goes. He is hidden 
from the fascinations of the world and of sense, for 
he is ingrafted into Christ. He is a branch of the 
heavenly stem, and a partaker of the divine nature. 
He is hidden with the Saviour, and the glory of 
the divine and spiritual life engrosses all his affec- 
tions. He outrides every storm, for the anchor of 
his soul is away within the veil. " He has re- 
nounced self, and naturally seeks a low place, re- 
mote from public observation, and unreached by 
human applause. When he is silent to human 
hearing, he is conversing with God ; and when he 
opens his lips and speaks, it is the message which 
God gives, and is spoken with the demonstration 
of the Spirit. When he is apparently inactive, he 
is gaining strength from the divine fountain — drink- 
ing nourishment into the inmost soul ; and when he 
moves, although with quiet step, the heart of the 
multitude is shaken and troubled at his approach, 
because God moves with him."* 



XXIII. 

" Compassed about with — witnesses" — Heb. xii, 1. 

The minister for the times is a conspicuous man. 
Though hidden with Christ, and feeding upon hid- 
den manna, and partaking of joys which this world 
knows not of, he is yet a public man. He is a 

* Professor Upham. 



52 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

spectacle to the world. He is no hermit or recluse, 
and withdraws not himself from the walks of men. 
No man is more seen — no voice is more familiar. 
He stands aloft, and a thousand eyes are upon him, 
and his trumpet is with him, and its notes are clear 
and constant. His position and bearing are known 
and read of all men. He is not seen in every as- 
sembly. He is never, without necessity, in the 
crowd. Yet, in whatever gathering Christ is to be 
honoured — pure morality is to be advanced — a soul 
is to be saved — there is this minister. He is a com- 
missioned man — an officer of the Lord of hosts — 
a captain in Israel. He is constantly in the field, 
and is the earliest and strongest to fall upon the 
enemies of righteousness and heaven. He is the 
shining mark against which the arch adversary of 
men aims his most fiery — his sharpest, deadliest 
darts. He is ever flying hither and thither, rous- 
ing and encouraging the ranks of God ; — leading 
them on with rejoicing valour to charge the strong- 
holds of Satan and his angels. Witnesses, not from 
beneath only, but from worlds unseen, are marking 
his lofty career. Spirits saved, bending from their 
spheres of light, behold him ; and angel beings, in 
shining ranks innumerable, compassing him afar, 
watch him as he runs the race for life eternal. 
Many, especially among the good and humble of 
this world, are acquainted with his name ; — a name 
which is often mentioned in the heavenly circles, 
and is written in the book of life. In far-off ages, 
and when the judgment-day shall have long since 



FOR THE TIMES. 53 

passed, this man will be conspicuous in heaven ; — 
conspicuous as the brightness of the firmament, — 
resplendent and beautiful as the stars forever and 



XXIV. 

" Enter into thy closet." — Matt, vi, 6. 

The minister for the times is a solitary man. He 
is much and often alone. He seeks long, solitary- 
sittings with the Holy Scriptures ; and in stillness 
and thoughtfulness labours to inform his under- 
standing, and impress and sanctify his heart, with 
the sacred truths of revelation. He communes in 
solitude with the righteous dead, and listens to their 
solemn voices, and thinks over what they once 
thought, and feels again what they once felt, and 
kindles with the fire that was wont to glow in 
spirits singing now in paradise. 

He loves, too, to commune with his own heart ; 
and, when every human eye and ear are absent, 
then to converse with himself alone — then to make 
solemn inquiry whether all be well — whether sin is 
dead, and faith, and hope, and love are living ; — 
whether flesh is crucified, and all the Christian vir- 
tues are blooming and flourishing ; — whether Satan 
is cast out, and Christ is formed within, the hope 
of glory ; — whether this world is relinquished, and 
the spirit is longing for God and heaven ; — whether 
all possible efforts are put forth to save the world. 



54 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

He loves especially to be alone with God, and 
pray to his " Father who is in secret." There he 
tells him all, unfolding his whole heart to the great 
Searcher. He confesses — repents — supplicates — 
intercedes — weeps. He pours forth his soul in a 
thousand strains of holy devotion. He strives after 
the excellent glory. Laying hold of unearthly 
strength, God meets him, and talks with him, as 
with Ezekiel in the field. He blesses him as Jacob, 
when, being left alone, the patriarch had power 
with God, and prevailed. He manifests himself as 
to Peter, when, by himself, he prayed upon the 
housetop. He touches him as Daniel when he 
made supplication, and the angel flew swiftly. He 
is prepared for new victories. He is adorned with 
salvation, and rewarded openly. 



XXV. 

11 In conversation." — 1 Tim. iv, 12. 

The minister for the times is a social man. He is 
much alone, and yet is much in company. He is 
not seen in every circle. He seeks not conversa- 
tion merely that he may pass pleasantly a leisure 
hour. It is not simply relaxation and enjoyment 
that is coveted ; but he throws himself amid society 
in order to prosecute still the great end from which 
his eye never, never wanders. He contemplates all 
men as travellers to a destiny of infinite importance 



FOR THE TIMES. 55 

— a destiny which his own influence is to modify 
and exalt to the utmost. He has contemplated, 
too, the wonderful power of speech ; and that not 
only in the studied address, but in the more fami- 
liar aspect of the social circle. He has learned that 
careless men are sometimes " won by the conversa- 
tion' ' of righteous companions and friends; while 
the Bible has taught him of a species of words that 
"minister grace to the hearers." This is enough 
with a man, the passion of whose soul is to save the 
lost, and lure them to eternal life. He converses 
largely and faithfully. They are mostly gracious 
words that proceed out of his mouth. The topics 
that are wont to engross the conversation of most 
men, are, in the comparison, lightly esteemed by 
him. The great themes of the Bible are those on 
which he mainly expatiates ; aiming, by direct re- 
mark, or by attractive allusion or illustration, to 
press upon the attention the things of God. He 
cultivates an abundant facility of bending worldly 
conversation heavenward. He aims that Jesus 
should enter and stand in the midst, though the 
" doors were shut ;" or, if there be companies 
where his Saviour may not be admitted, he speed- 
ily retires. Why should the minister — one of the 
watchmen of these solemn times — parley with the 
things that have an end ? What conversation, what 
word has he, except for Christ and heaven ? Are 
not thousands listening to his conversation — mark- 
ing, scrutinizing the tenor of all he says ? Knows 
he not that, by his use of the social talent, he will 



56 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

be judged by multitudes ? — and that, by this, every- 
one that knows him will be quickened or hindered 
in respect to the most important of all interests? 
Is he ignorant that the power of his preaching is 
mysteriously enhanced or prejudiced by his good 
or ill conversation ? All this is plain. Hence, he 
converses much, and converses evangelically. As 
necessity may be, he instructs, or warns, or reproves, 
or encourages, or exhorts, with all long-suffering 
and doctrine. 

He converses impartially, forgetting not the poor, 
the ao-ed, and infirm — even the evil and unthankful. 
He neglects not the remote, but flies where they 
are, bearing the divine message. 

He converses constantly. Few days pass over 
him in which he does not breathe a heavenly savour 
by his conversation. From house to house he passes 
as an angel of goodness, bearing ever the sweet bur- 
den of his spirit — the salvation of the lost ; and out 
of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 

He converses judiciously and timely, studying 
earnestly the selectest modes and opportunities for 
impressing sacred and saving truths upon the heart. 
When mourning and bereavements come — when 
riches take wings — when awful Providence en- 

o 

shrouds this world in gloom, and shuts away its 
hopes forever, — in such times especially will be 
heard the whisperings of the man of God, pointing 
to a better and more enduring substance. 

He converses modestly and carefully, and, as oft- 
en as may be, " privately ;" adapting himself to the 



FOR THE TIMES. 57 

prejudices, ages, stations, or infirmities, of the varied 
multitude. 

He converses benevolently and affectionately ; for 
he loves the sinner — loves his eternal good ; while 
his whole aspect and every word bespeak a soul 
overflowing with profound affection and good-will 
toward the souls of men. 

And yet he converses faithfully and earnestly. 
His eye is upon success. He longs to compass his 
end, namely, a saving influence. He wants the soul 
for heaven — to place him a star in the Redeemer's 
crown ; — to see him saved from hell ; — to listen to 
his harp in the New Jerusalem. 



XXVI. 

" A good report" — 1 Tim. iii, 7. 

The minister for the times is a reputable man. It 
is meant that, so far as known, he is known favour- 
ably. No stain whatever attaches itself to his cha- 
racter. He is a blameless person — a son of God 
without rebuke in a crooked and perverse genera- 
tion. No one has reasonably any evil thing to say 
of him. No fatal abatement enters to nullify or 
prejudice the holy influence which Heaven designs 
him to exert. His is a fair and unsullied name, 
linking with itself all pure and hallowed associa- 
tions. In whatever Christian circle that name is 
mentioned, it is with profound respect and appro- 



58 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

val. It is emphatically a "good name," that is 
preferable to great riches, and is better than pre- 
cious ointment. To the good, such a man is ever 
welcome ; to the evil and unbelieving, he is a living 
argument in favour of pure and undefiled religion. 
His unspotted character gives him influence where- 
ever he moves, and would stand instead of many a 
merely intellectual accomplishment. All serious 
people are ready to listen to his instruction, his ex- 
hortations, and persuasions ; and he goes in and out 
before them a good man, without spot, unrebuka- 
ble, and blameless. 



XXVII. 

" Given to hospitality" — 1 Tim. iii, 2. 

The minister for the times is a hospitable man. His 
earthly mansion is not a splendid one. He dwells 
not in a palace, for he is not a rich man. Yet his 
humble abode is open, and his table is spread for 
the necessity of saints. The stranger does not lodge 
in the street, nor are the doors closed to the tra- 
veller. He deals bread to the hungry, and brings 
the poor that are cast out to his house. He is not 
forgetful to entertain strangers ; for it is remembered 
that thus some, as Abraham and Lot, have enter- 
tained angels unawares. The " little chamber" is 
provided ; and the bed, the table, the stool, and 
the candlestick, are ready for the man of God when 



FOR THE TIMES. 59 

he turns in thither. He remembers the good Oba- 
diah, who hid a hundred prophets from the wicked 
Jezebel, and fed them with bread and water ; and 
Martha, who received Jesus into her house ; and 
Aquila and Priscilla, who entertained Apollos, and 
expounded to him the way of God more perfectly ; 
and Lydia, who constrained Paul and Timothy, if 
they judged her faithful, to abide in her house. 
This minister counts it not a misfortune to be called 
to entertain a stranger. There is a clearer vision. 
He recognises a providential hand in this apparent 
interruption, and sets himself to watch narrowly 
the good that is to ensue, either as accruing to him- 
self, or to the stranger. Often he goes abroad to 
find objects on whom his blessing may rest. Now 
one has entered his door, and sits down at his ta- 
ble. What "excellent gift" does the God of pro- 
vidence design him to impart to this stranger? 
"What special counsel, encouragement, instruction, 
sympathy, does he need — and which, if it may be 
afforded him, shall prove a blessing never to be for- 
gotten, and never to die ? or what may be the gem 
which this stranger is to leave behind him ? What 
sentence, what word, will he utter, that will be a 
seed of mighty growth, whose harvest shall be the 
joy of millions? Behold how great a matter a 
little fire kindleth ! 



60 MINISTEK OF CHEIST 

XXVIII. 

" Temperate in all things!' — 1 Cor. ix, 25. 

The minister for the times is a temperate man. 
Such is he who strives for the mastery in worldly 
contests. Such is the one who strives for excellence 
in the most sacred and elevated calling among men. 
He is temperate in meats and drinks, and has no 
partiality for sumptuous fare. Eating and drinking 
are held, with him, as very subordinate matters. 
He eats to live ; hence he asks for plain food, and 
that in sufficient quantities only. He would pre- 
serve his body sound and vigorous ; and that, too, 
as a duty not to himself only, but to the Church 
and to God. He desires not, dares not, for a mo- 
mentary gratification, to impair, in the smallest de- 
gree, the complete strength, activity, and elasticity 
of the physical man ; nor does he dare, by intem- 
perance in food or drinks, to dimmish aught from 
his intellectual energy and fire. He cultivates a 
sound mind in a sound body. In the quality and 
quantity of his food he never forgets the intimate 
connexion between temperance in the bodily appe- 
tites, and the present and long- continued healthy 
action of the mind ; nor does he forget the equally 
close, and equally important connexion between 
such temperance and the spirit of prayer and praise 
— the spirit of Christian zeal and holiness — the 
spirit of faith, hope, and charity — yea, every gra- 
cious quality. He looks steadily toward the full 



FOR THE TIMES. 61 

and constant perfection of his powers, in order that 
he may deal the very heaviest blow against Satan 
and sin, and touch the farthest extremity of upward 
influence for which Providence had destined him. 
Contemplating a flight lofty, mighty, and protract- 
ed, he scorns that any fleshly and mean indulgence 
should, for one moment, cripple those wings, or 
retard that shining progress. 



XXIX. 

" The gift that is in thee."—l Tim. iv, 14. 

The minister for the times is a gifted man. Not 
that he is necessarily one of those who are said to 
possess more than ordinary native abilities. Not 
that he is, in the technical sense, a great man. But 
it is meant that he is endowed with talents or gifts 
which, with the appropriate cultivation, are adapted 
to the great work of the gospel ministry. The God 
of nature has given him a mind possessing common 
sense — a common understanding. He is gifted with, 
at least, common powers of attention and memory. 
In the general, he is gifted with natural abilities 
competent, in their cultivated state, to exert a posi- 
tive and strong influence upon his fellow-men. It 
is not necessary to suppose him a genius. Neither 
is he an ordinary man. There is something in him 
elevating him above the mass. He is not entirely 
common. He is not jejune or commonplace ; — not 



62 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

weak, nor dull, nor tedious. There is that in him, 
be it more or less, which stands out from what is 
merely customary ; — a feature or features of the not 
merely good, but of the attractive, the useful, the 
noble. This age of strong excitement, and of un- 
wonted activity, asks for ministers who, in the pul- 
pit, in the more social worship, and in the usual 
walks of pastoral effort, evince positive excellencies ; 
and if their natural gifts are only such as are com- 
mon, yet, at least, superior grace, acting upon these, 
and enkindling and vivifying them, leads them out 
into unusual and intense action, and thus advances 
their possessor to a position and character beyond 
what is merely ordinary. It is not sufficient for 
the minister of these times that he be as men in 
general. He must have and evince something more. 
In the good sense, he must be distinguished and 
marked ; — he requires to be an extraordinary man ; 
— a man who, without any native deficiency of in- 
tellect, has also acquired a correct and strong dis- 
cipline, and varied and extensive learning ; — who 
has improved his powers to the utmost, and who 
still permits no day to pass without his realizing 
further progress and higher perfection. 



FOR THE TIMES. 63 

XXX. 

"All things — in order." — 1 Cor. xiv, 40. 

The minister for the times is an orderly man. He 
is orderly in his person. His garb is neat and be- 
coming, and his whole aspect is orderly, pure, and 
without offence. He is orderly in his closet devo- 
tions. These have their regular times, and those 
times are occupied accordingly. There he regu- 
larly offers his supplications, prayers, and thanks- 
givings. Himself — his family — his people — the 
poor — the distressed — the ignorant — the heathen 
— all are every day remembered in his prayers to 
heaven. He is orderly in his family religion. Every 
morning and evening all business in his house is 
suspended ; — the Bible is presented and read in or^ 
der, brief and pertinent remarks are made, the song 
of praise, and the prayer of faith, ascend to God. 
He is orderly in his studies and investigations. His 
books and papers are in order. His plan of study- 
ing is settled. He undertakes deliberately ; — what 
is undertaken is prosecuted regularly and syste- 
matically, and finished promptly. His mind is or- 
derly, and his thoughts duly arranged and simpli- 
fied. The association of his thoughts is well regu- 
lated and pure. He is orderly in retiring, sleeping, 
rising, eating, drinking, and recreating. He is or- 
derly in the performance of his pastoral duties — 
calling regularly upon the people without respect 
to persons, and giving prompt notice to every spe- 



64 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

cial case requiring his attention. His aim is to have 
a time for everything, and to do everything in its 
time. He is orderly in his various appointments 
for preaching and expounding the Holy Scriptures, 
and in respect to all other meetings for promoting 
the cause of God. He is orderly and punctual in 
instructing the children, and in endeavouring to lead 
them in the way of life. All his business, so far 
as possible, is systematized. Each article has its 
place, and each work its hour. Nor yet is he a 
slave to his orderly plan of arrangements. Such a 
plan is always made subordinate to the great object 
of his efforts and his life. Hence there is no im- 
patience at any necessary or unexpected interference 
with his usual order. All such interruptions are 
wont to be hailed, rather, as providential — from 
which he habituates himself to expect some special 
good, either to himself or to others. While aim- 
ing at perfect order in his efforts, he yet recognizes 
himself as the servant of all — ever ready to act for 
their happiness and salvation as the gracious Hand 
shall direct. 



XXXI. 

" With thy might" — Eccles. x, 12. 

The minister for the times is an industrious man. 
His hours and moments are, in his eye, of more 
than golden value. In respect to time, he is rigidly 
parsimonious. He is systematic, as seen above ; and 



FOR THE TIMES. 65 

honours his system by a diligence which is untiring 
and intense. The Scriptural precept to gospel min- 
isters is never forgotten or disregarded. Attend- 
ance is given to reading — to exhortation — to doc- 
trine. He meditates upon these things — gives him- 
self wholly to them. He preaches the word, and 
is instant in season, out of season. He makes full 
proof of his ministry. The Scripture examples to 
gospel ministers are also before his eye. Jesus is 
contemplated, as he went through all the cities and 
villages, teaching, and preaching the gospel of the 
kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and 
every disease among the people. And it is not 
forgotten, that besides His recorded acts, there were 
many other things which Jesus did, the which, if 
they should be written, every one, even the world 
itself might be imagined incapable of containing 
the books which should be written. 

He also thinks of the man who solemnly called 
upon the elders of Ephesus to remember that, by 
the space of three years, he ceased not to warn 
every man night and day with tears. He remem- 
bers the man who, from Jerusalem round about to 
Illyricum, fully preached the gospel of Christ. " In 
other words," says one, " Paul, by preaching, evan- 
gelized Syria, Phenicia, Arabia, Cilicia, Paraphilia, 
Pisidia, Lycaonia, Galatia, Pontus, Paphligonia, 
Phrygia, Troas, Caria, Lycia, Ionia, Lydia, Thrace, 
Macedonia, Thessalonica, and Achaia, besides the 
islands of Cyprus and Crete. 

Or, of modern times, he remembers Calvin ; of 
6 



66 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

body lean, worn, spent, and wearied, yet reading, 
every week of the year through, three divinity lec- 
tures ; every other week, over and above, preach- 
ing every day, giving, as some reckon, one hundred 
and eighty-six lectures, and two hundred and eighty- 
six sermons annually ; sitting, every Thursday, in 
the Presbytery ; every Friday, explaining divers 
difficult texts to ministers ; solving a thousand 
doubts and questions proposed to him by various 
churches as well as pastors ; and, over and above 
all these employments, bringing out, almost every 
year, some great volume in folio, or other size ; and 
still driving his prodigious industry into the very 
midst of his dying illness. 

Or, he remembers Wesley, who, as an angel of 
mercy, flew in every direction through the United 
Kingdom, preaching the unsearchable riches of 
Christ; — who studied, and laboured, and prayed, 
to an extent almost unparalleled in the history of 
man ; — who continued his labours from the com- 
mencement of manhood, long after fourscore years 
had bleached to snowy whiteness his flowing locks ; 
— who, for more than half a century, rose at four, 
preached two, three, and four times in a day, and 
travelled four thousand five hundred miles annual- 
ly ; — who, in addition to all his travels and preach- 
ings, wrote what would require an ordinary life to 
read ; — and who, by his indomitable industry, joined 
to his great talents and sublime piety, exerted upon 
the destinies of mankind an influence far-reaching 
and incalculable. 



FOR THE TIMES. 67 

Contemplating such lofty examples — the great 
work to be done — the few transient years that re- 
main — the startling bearings of every pious effort, 
this good minister is never, never idle. Whatso- 
ever his hand finds to do, he does it with his might. 



XXXII. 

"Be strong? — 1 Cor. xvi, 13. 

The minister for the times is a strong man ; that is, 
he is strong in God. He has the strength that ac- 
companies a full perception of his native weakness 
and utter nothingness. It is the strength of un- 
clouded faith. The man believes, and therefore 
speaks — therefore acts and labours with an energy 
and power which ordinary men never evince. Like 
Abraham, he is strong in faith, giving glory to God. 
Like Joshua, he is strong and of good courage in 
making war upon the enemies of righteousness. 
Like the Baptist, he is strong in spirit, and goes 
forth with a measure of the spirit and power of 
Elijah. Like Timothy, he is strong in the grace 
which is in Christ Jesus. This strength character- 
izes all his spirit and conduct. It imparts energy 
and decision to every movement and every thought. 
lie is strong to feel ; for his heart is touched by the 
mighty Spirit of God. He is strong to pray ; for 
his prayers are uol dull, and scattered, and ineffi- 
cient, but there h offered up supplication with strong 



68 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

crying and tears. He is strong to praise ; for his 
vision is clear, and the goodness and grace of Christ 
are seen to be vast as infinity. Strong is he to in- 
vestigate the Scriptures ; for these have become the 
book of his life. He is strong to preach ; for it is 
counted the greatest privilege and honour to pro- 
claim the salvation of Christ to perishing men. He 
is strong to converse ; for it is out of the abundance 
of his heart. He is strong to endure ; for he is 
pledged to be a good soldier of Jesus Christ. He 
is strong in suffering ; for all is received at God's 
hand — received as a portion of his earthly disci- 
pline, and Grod's grace is sufficient for him. He is 
strong to plan for the advancement of genuine re- 
ligion and piety, and strong to urge such plans to 
full execution. 

This minister is spiritually mighty. He may, at 
times, be shaken in respect to questions of human 
policy ; but, touching the great cardinal points of 
Christian doctrine and action, his mind never fal- 
ters, never wavers. Planting himself immovably 
upon the Holy Scriptures, he stands fast as upon 
the eternal rock ; and the rains descend, and the 
floods rush, and the winds blow, while he emerges 
from the storm unscathed and unharmed. 



FOR THE TIMES. 69 

XXXIII. 

"A. ready mind" — 1 Pet. v, 2. 

The minister for the times is a ready man. While 
strong for every duty of the ministry, he is likewise 
ready. His mind being calm, subdued, humble, 
and happy, he is ready to meditate and to study. 
His affairs and movements being ordered by rigid 
system, there is a readiness for each effort as its 
appointed time arrives. If sudden emergencies 
arise, the power is secured of commanding and 
summoning his thoughts, and of directing his in- 
quiries to the case in hand. Especially is he ever 
ready to engage in his appropriate work — that of 
preaching Christ. If opportunity offers, he is " rea- 
dy to preach the gospel" wherever men will listen to 
the sound. Here rarely, if ever, is there backward- 
ness, or any request to be excused. Great and 
weighty reasons press upon him, and forbid him to 
shrink from so divine a work. Great results often 
hang upon a single godly instruction, and he be- 
wares how he withholds when it is in his power to 
communicate. By every suitable means, he is 
prompt to stand in defence of religion ; for there is 
always a readiness to give a reason of the hope that 
is in him, with meekness and fear. He is undaunt- 
ed by every prospective difficulty, persecution, and 
suffering ; for he is ready not to be bound only, but 
also to suffer death for the name of the Lord Je- 



70 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

sus ; and if that death be actually pending, he is 
ready to be offered. 

Nothing is more certain than that these times re- 
quire ministers who are awake and ready. They 
behoove to be men whose intellects are well fur- 
nished and strongly disciplined — men of elastic 
spirits and holy hearts — possessing a glad will and 
ready mind for the duties and conflicts of the min- 
ister of righteousness. Now is the time for the 
lingering, the tardy, the faint-hearted and reluctant 
to stand aside, and let there come up to fill the 
apostolic ranks a host of burnished soldiery, ready 
armed, and of ready step and perfect discipline, 
who shall be ever prompt to do battle for the Lord 
of Hosts. 



XXXIV. 

"Not yours, but you" — 2 Cor. xii, 14. 

The minister for the times is a disinterested man. 
Here also he has the mind of Christ, whose love 
and efforts for the race of man were of a character 
the most perfectly disinterested. For ye know the 
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, though he- 
was rich, yet, for our sakes, became poor, that we, 
through his poverty, might be rich. Such, too, 
was the spirit of the holy apostles, who, through 
great personal disadvantage and sacrifice, laboured 
for the happiness and eternal salvation of the na- 
tions ; who very gladly spent their substance, and 



FOR THE TIMES. 71 

spent themselves, for others ; and that, too, though 
the more abundantly they loved others, the less 
they might be loved by them. So the apostolic 
minister of this present age labours, at whatever 
personal and temporal loss, to bring men to Christ, 
and to present them spotless before G-od with ex- 
ceeding joy. He has resigned the idea of worldly 
prosperity and wealth. Preaching the gospel, he 
expects only to live of the gospel. He wishes and 
demands no more than what is necessary for a com- 
fortable subsistence, so as, without distraction, to 
prosecute his untiring labours for the world's re- 
generation. He seeks not theirs, but them. If the 
conversion of his fellow-men breathes, as it does, a 
salutary influence upon his own happiness, it is not, 
however, any beautiful result like this that capti- 
vates his eye, and urges onward his strong endea- 
vours. All other and subordinate considerations 
are lost in the longing of his heart for the holiness 
and happiness of men, and for the glory of God in 
their everlasting life. He knows, it is true, that a 
great reward of his faithful labours will, in the se- 
quel, accrue to himself ; yet this thought, sublime 
and lovely though it be, is far from being the main- 
spring of his vehement activity. Love — burning, 
resistless love — love to Christ and to the souls he 
has purchased— this is the constraining principle — 
this is the fountain whence every refreshing stream 
pours forth ; here is the quenchless fire whence 
every warming, gladdening influence is ever radi- 
ating. " Let me act," saith this minister, " or else 



72 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

I die. My soul fainteth for the longing which it 
hath for the souls of men. I could wish myself, 
as it were, accursed for my brethren — for those 
who are bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh. 
Let me aid them up to happiness and heaven, though 
my poor name should be blotted out of the book 
of life, and though all remembrance of me should 
perish forever. Let my hand, though unseen — 
unthought of — unsolicited — undesired and unloved, 
— let it still labour night and day, and until it shall 
grow cold in death, to promote the great salvation.'' 



XXXV. 

" Let him deny himself" — Luke ix, 23. 

The minister for the times is a self-denying man. 
All things, with him, are rigidly held as subservient 
to the cause and honour of the Lord Jesus. Espe- 
cially is this so of all things pertaining to his own 
personal enjoyment. He refrains, as a habit, from 
sumptuous fare ; for it is not consistent with the 
health, intellect, and piety of a Christian and Chris- 
tian minister. He refrains from extravagant and 
costly apparel ; for its strong tendency is to ad- 
minister to the pride of life. He occupies no costly 
mansion, indulges no splendid equipage, even if 
means are at command ; for he would be an exam- 
ple of simplicity, and, at the same time, cut off 
every superfluity, so as to augment, to the utmost, 



FOR THE TIMES. 73 

his means of good. He retires from all recreations, 
however innocent and pleasant, except so far as is 
necessary to the soundness of the physical and in- 
tellectual man. He resigns all reading, however 
attractive and beautiful, which does not aid him in 
the great purpose of his life. He shuts himself out 
not only from all company that is dangerous to his 
purity and his heart, but from social enjoyments of 
every sort that interfere with the constant and stren- 
uous prosecution of his high calling. No precious 
moments are yielded to sleep beyond what nature, 
trained and invigorated by strictest temperance, re- 
quires. Personal ease and comfort, however im- 
portant in the estimation of most, are ever placed 
by him in the class of secondary considerations. 
He submits to no criminal or needless exposure ; 
yet, because of heat, or because of cold, and winds, 
and rain, he would rarely disappoint a waiting as- 
sembly — or fail to reach a sick man's door — or to 
stand, with his welcome presence, in the midst of 
forlorn and suffering ones to administer the needed 
cordial. Not his profit, but the profit of the many, 
is the rule of his life, and the object of his heart. 
If learning and fame allure, he is determined to 
know nothing save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. 
If the opulent and the refined solicit him, he turns 
away to preach the gospel to the poor. If with 
him, as with others, there are preferences and par- 
tialities, he yet, in whatever is non-essential, be- 
comes all things to all men, that he may by all 
means save some, In much patience, in afflictions, 



74 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

in necessities, in distresses, in tumults, in labours, 
in watchings, in fastings, and, if necessary, in stripes 
and imprisonments, he approves himself as a minis- 
ter of God. He chooses to suffer affliction with 
the people of God, and esteems the reproach of 
Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt. 
He denies himself — turns his back upon the world 
— loses his life, and finds it. 



XXXVI. 

" Take heed unto thyself." — 1 Tim. iv, 16. 

The minister for the times is a watchful man. He 
takes heed to himself. He sets a watch over all 
his heart, keeping it with all diligence, for out of 
it are the issues of life. He guards his spirit — his 
thoughts — his wishes and hopes. He watches with 
severe scrutiny the motives by which he is actuated, 
marks his evil tendencies, and guards against them 
with never-failing vigilance and care. Especially 
is he awake to the sin which easily besets him, flee- 
ing from it as for his life. He is alive to the agency 
and influence of Satan ; who desired to sift Peter, 
who often withstood Paul, and who sought to over- 
throw Jesus himself. He takes heed to all his con- 
versations and interviews with others. In company, 
whether with his family, or with less familiar asso- 
ciates, he is never off his guard. He has pondered 
the never-ceasing influence of a single expression or 



FOR THE TIMES. 75 

word — of a gesture or a glance, and amid all cheer- 
ful or earnest converse he is recollected. His dili- 
gent industry is guarded, that it never decline. 
With a thoughtful eye is noticed the flight of time, 
that no moment pass without being seized for good. 
All his conduct is circumspect ; for the eyes of the 
world are upon him, and " God is o'erhead." He 
watches his faith, that it be ever living and grow- 
ing — his love, that it be ever full and abounding — 
his joy and rejoicing, that it be unceasing — his zeal, 
that it be ever glowing — his long-suffering, gentle- 
ness, patience, and meekness, that they be never 
weary. On the other hand, he watches to detect 
whatever remains in him of the carnal mind, that 
every hateful thing may be brought to a perfect 
crucifixion. He watches if there be any lingerings 
of unbelief, of pride, of dulness, of sloth, of impu- 
rity, of self-will, of malice, of envy, of love of the 
world, of fear of man, of covetousness, or of idol- 
atry ; that every stain may be laid open to the pre- 
cious blood of sprinkling. In a word, he watches 
in all things. With eternal vigilance, the whole 
inward and outward man is guarded. He watches 
that he " enter not into temptation " — that he " may 
not fall" — may be " steadfast in the faith" — may 
''walk circumspectly" — may "make full proof of 
his ministry," and nobly fulfil his high commission. 



76 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

XXXVII. 

" He prayeth" — Acts ix, 11. 

The minister for the times is a praying man. He 
speaks to God and tells to him all his heart, and 
pours into his ear his fervent supplications and 
prayers. If we would describe this minister in the 
fewest words possible, perhaps we could hardly do 
better than to say of him that " he prayeth" Pray- 
er is his habit — his characteristic — his life — his 
breath. What of a true minister of the Lord Je- 
sus ? Re prays. He is a man that walks and con- 
verses with God. He lives to heaven; — breathes 
into the bosom of Jesus ; — has no wish that he tells 
not to him ; — has no thought that bends not thith- 
erward ; — has no plan that does not begin, progress, 
and end with Christ. Of his minutest, smallest 
matters, he whispers to his Saviour ; and every trial, 
and perplexity, and sorrow, and care, are passed 
over to the great burden-bearer. He is careful for 
nothing ; but in everything, by prayer and suppli- 
cation, with thanksgiving, makes known his suppli- 
cations unto God. "In everything by prayer" — ■ 
this is the true presentation. In reading — in medi- 
tating — in sermon-making — in writing — in preach- 
ing — in visiting — in exhorting — in disciplining — in 
travelling — in recreating — in reposing — in all by 
prayer and supplication. This is one of the watch- 
men upon the walls that never hold their peace, 



FOR THE TIMES. 77 

day nor night. He always prays, and faints not ; — 
prays with all prayer and supplication in the spirit ; 
— night and day praying exceedingly, offering sup- 
plications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of 
thanks for all men ; — praying everywhere, lifting 
up holy hands without wrath and doubting ; — in 
behalf of the saints, bowing his knees to the Father 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, that he would grant to 
them, according to the riches of his glory, to be 
strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner 
man, that Christ may dwell in their hearts by faith ; 
that they, being rooted and grounded in love, may 
be able to comprehend with all saints what is the 
breadth, and depth, and length, and height; and 
to know the love of Christ, which passeth know- 
ledge, that they might be filled with all the fulness 
of God. 

Behold here the stronghold of the genuine gos- 
pel minister. He prays — prays exceedingly — prays 
incessantly- — prays in everything. Detect there the 
secret of his power — of his Christian balance amid 
every wind and flaw — of his overflowing and all- 
pervading baptisms — of his knowledge of the deep 
things of God — of the unction of his preaching — 
of his gracious conversation and bearing — of the 
intensity of his love, the glow and constancy of his 
zeal, and the loftiness of his joy. 



78 MINISTER OP CHRIST 

XXXVIII. 

u Glory to God in the highest!' — Luke ii, 14. 

The minister for the times is a praising man. If 
he prays without ceasing, so in everything he gives 
thanks. To his purified vision, reasons for praising 
God arise constantly as his breath — multitudinous 
as the drops of the ocean, and important as eter- 
nity. The attitude of thanksgiving is his habit ; — - 
this is the tendency, the shape of his soul. Praise 
is never absent from his spirit, though varying fre- 
quently in its action ; — now " sitting silently," now 
towering aloft, expanding the soul to its utmost 
tension ; breathing upward to God in many a tri- 
umphant song, and almost impatient to break away 
from earthly fetters, and seize upon mightier pow- 
ers and nobler instruments with which to trumpet 
forth the high praises of God and the Lamb. 

His God is reconciled. Hell has opened its 
mouth, but failed of its prey. His past sins are as 
though they never were. Infinite grace has chang- 
ed him. He is already in the kingdom — a fellow- 
citizen of the saints, and of the household of God. 
Thousands and millions have entered before him, 
and millions more are coming — a multitude which 
no man can number. His name is among those of 
the blessed ones ; he is nearing the heaven of eter- 
nal praises. The spirit of that world flows forth 
to meet him. He already sympathizes with the 



FOR THE TIMES. 79 

heavenly glory, and kindles as he approaches. He 
hastens, and aspires to be a seraph on high. With 
open face beholding, as in a glass, the glory of the 
Lord, he is changed into the same image from glo- 
ry to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. He 
catches the sweet notes, first struck on earth from 
lips inspired, and rolling down through long gene- 
rations. He joins in the song of Moses and Israel, 
and his heart dances at the notes of Miriam's tim- 
brel. As he listens to the voice of Deborah, say- 
ing, " I will sing unto the Lord," from afar he an- 
swers back, "I will praise the God of Israel." 
While Hannah sings, " Holy is the Lord," — " No 
rock is like our God," is his glad response. On 
the identical strains that were swept from the harp 
of Israel's bard, his spirit rises every day to God. 
If, listening with the shepherds, he hears angelic 
notes rolling in mid-air, and singing, " Glory be to 
God," his rapturous soul responds, " Amen ! Ho- 
sanna in the Highest !" If, standing without those 
cold prison- walls, he hears Paul and Silas far with- 
in, singing praises to God, he catches the apostolic 
notes and apostolic fire, and is ready to go to prison 
and to death. With every holy song, whether past, 
present, or future, — whether sung on earth or in 
happier worlds, his whole being sympathizes. All 
praise is not too great — all is not sufficient. A 
" thousand tongues " would be inadequate — an an- 
gel's harp too faint and slow. The great chorus 
of the ransomed, as they shall come to Zion with 
songs and everlasting joy upon their heads — all, 



80 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

all will be as nothing when compared with the in- 
finite righteousness — the boundless grace — the di- 
vine glory. 



XXXIX. 

"In the regions beyond!' — 2 Cor. x, 16. 

The minister for the times is an aggressive man. 
"All the world," is one of the capital ideas in the 
apostolic commission. The world God loved — the 
world Christ came to ransom — for the world he 
died — to the world, all the world, he directed his 
gospel to be carried. In each minister's charter it 
is written, " Compass and save the world to the 
utmost extent possible." Accordingly, the true 
minister reaches out and abroad. He neglects not 
his more special charge. He takes heed to the par- 
ticular flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made 
him overseer ; yet, meanwhile, the world is on his 
heart. He feels, and weeps, and labours for the 
race. He refuses to confine himself to his own 
special locality. He passes out into the highways 
and hedges, throws himself amid waste places, 
wakes up the joyful sound where Christ is not 
named, and helps, as a wise master-builder, to lay 
foundations of uprising churches, and permits no 
space within the limits of his consecrated powers 
to lie without the field of heavenly cultivation. He 
struggles to enlist his church into the same spirit 



FOR THE TIMES. 81 

of aggressive and holy enterprise. The good which, 
by himself alone, may not be compassed, he will 
reach, if possible, by the co-operation of others. 
He forgets not those desolate regions where Christ 
is known but partially, or where he was never 
named. His spirit is identical with that of the mis- 
sionary ; of all whose sorrows, trials, joys, and suc- 
cesses, he is an active partaker. Himself and his 
church take strong hold of the work of the world's 
evangelization and conversion. This is recognized 
as the great, the high commission of the Church 
militant. He knows no gospel — no Church — no 
salvation, designed to be retained in any one coun- 
try or continent. The fire of heaven, that warms 
his heart, is, in its very nature, expansive and ag- 
gressive. It has "free course," — it "runs every- 
where." The righteousness of Zion goes forth as 
brightness — the salvation thereof, as a lamp that 
burneth. Gentiles see it, and kings behold its glo- 
ry. He is a watchman that keeps not silence, and 
gives the Lord no rest till he establish and till he 
make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. " Freely ye 
have received- — freely give," is written in letters of 
light upon the escutcheon of Christianity. Expan- 
siveness is inseparable from its genius. It is a fire, 
and it spreads all around. It is light, and it flashes 
in every direction. It is love, and the race all its 
object. It is a mustard-seed, and it germinates 
and grows, a tree on whose branches the fowls of 
the ah* come to lodge. It is a sound, and it runs 
into all the earth, and its voice to the end of the 
6 



82 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

world. It is power, and its mighty impulses fly 
through the earth. 

The minister for the times is this principle of 
heavenly electricity in personification. In a sense 
not merely poetical, the world is his parish. He 
is wedded to man. The world, as a generation of 
immortal beings, is in his arms — pressing upon his 
heart — living in his prayers — passing in review in 
his meditations — and acted upon by whatever sa- 
cred agency is within his reach to wield for the ef- 
fectuating of their undying welfare. No time is to 
be squandered ; but every moment is to be bought 
up, not for the momentary happiness of an indi- 
vidual, but for the everlasting life of a world. 
Every fragment must be gathered — no superfluity 
of expense must be indulged, in order to swell to 
the utmost the stream of mercy that is to flow for 
the refreshing of the nations. It is the seed-time, 
and it is brief, and the harvest following is the har- 
vest of eternity, and they who sow largely shall 
reap also largely, and they who sow sparingly shall 
reap sparingly. It is the harvest-time, and the field 
is the world, and it is white, and he that reapeth 
receiveth wages, and he shall bring his sheaves with 
him, and the fruit he gathers shall be to fife eternal. 



FOR THE TIMES. 83 

XL. 

"All are yours" — 1 Cor. iii, 22. 

The minister for the times is a catholic man. He 
has his tastes and preferences. His principles of 
theology and Christian polity are well defined and 
settled. He approves not eveiy peculiarity exist- 
ing in other denominations, any more than he com- 
mends everything among those of his own name. 
In no institutions merely human does he look for 
perfection ; yet sect and party are, with this man, 
among the things which are held in low estimation. 
It is one of the things attaching to the Christian 
world, which he would fain forget forever. The 
divisions in the body of Christ constitute one of his 
deepest, sorest griefs, and tend to mantle his cheek 
with shame in behalf of a frail and imperfect 
Church. In fostering and prolonging the spirit of 
sect among Christians, he takes no part whatever. 
His dignified and spiritual mind towers above all 
such earthly and grovelling movements. He aims 
to forget that he belongs anywhere save with the 
great brotherhood of saints. It has ceased to be 
his first care that a particular party should be in- 
creased and prosperous. To bring the world to 
Christ and to heaven, is the idea that engrosses his 
thoughts and plans, and absorbs his soul. By the 
rule of sacred Scripture he aims to quadrate all 
his views, regarding no human speculation — accept- 



84 MINISTER OF CHEIST 

ing no theological symbols that do not conform to 
this infallible standard. So, also, he looks not to 
any given party as the sole enclosure of Christ's 
disciples. He doubts not that there are those, of 
various folds, who are equally dear to the great 
Shepherd. Partition walls rising between different 
ranks of Christians, are nothing in the eye of the 
Master save an offence ; and in a similar manner 
are they viewed by the true and enlightened ser- 
vant. His eye of simplicity glances over the com- 
monwealth of saints, omitting, if possible, to discern 
the barriers which themselves have erected in the 
midst. Neither his Bible, his conscience, his rea- 
son, nor his heart, dictates or urges him to recognize 
these. He knows, of a certainty, that they are not 
of the precious metals, and belong not to the hea- 
venly edifice. He sees clearly that they are, rather, 
hay, wood, and stubble ; and the fire shall one day 
consume them, so that so much as a vestige shall 
not remain. 

Hence, he loves not sect, but the Church of the 
living God, wherever existing. He claims kindred, 
he proffers union, wherever two or three are gath- 
ered together, not in the name of a party, but in 
the name of Christ. With that spirit which cla- 
mours for Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, — one, to the 
exclusion of the rest, — he has no fellowship. He 
glories not in man, nor in man's carnal envying, 
strife, and divisions. Not one, merely, — all are his ; 
whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the World> 
or life, or death, or things present, or things to 



FOR THE TIMES. 85 

come ; — all are his possession, and he is Christ's. 
This heavenly minded minister dwells and expa- 
tiates above the noise of party. His contemplations 
and employments are better than this, as the hea- 
vens are better than the earth. His eye is too 
much upon Christ — too much upon salvation — too 
much upon that blessed world where all are one, 
that he should, for a moment, condescend even to 
imagine there could be a party line drawn between 
himself and one of the disciples. No ! He blesses 
the Church, and the whole Church, of the living 
God. He rejoices in the equal goodly fellowship 
glowing in his soul for every saint of every name 
and of every land. He seizes the apostolic bene- 
diction, and shouts, " Grace be with all them that 
love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen!" 
He rejoices as, with the old prophetic vision, he 
sees them coming from the east and west, from the 
north and south, to sit down in the kingdom of 
God. He triumphs in the glad gathering, within 
the heavenly temple, from every nation, and kin- 
dred, and tongue, and people. 



86 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

XLI. 

11 A vessel unto honour" — 2 Tim. ii, 21. 

The minister for the times is a dignified man. And 
yet there is no affectation of dignity. There is no 
studied stiffness — no pomp or display. There is 
no ceremonious gait — no excessive preciseness of 
speech, countenance, or general manners. It is a 
dignity without a consciousness of its existence. 
It is an easy, simple, and, withal, an extremely 
graceful garment. It is a godly, evangelical dig- 
nity. It is that which unfailingly attaches itself to 
a man who has more to do with things eternal than 
with things temporal ; — who studies, as a habit, the 
deep matters of God's providence and grace ; — 
who is an inhabitant of the world of the Bible ; — 
who is pledged to Christ alone ; — who spends no 
time for the meat that perishes ; — who is asking 
not after momentary results, but whose speculations 
and inquiries " wander through eternity;" — who 
has resigned this world and embraced heaven; — 
whose incessant reaching is for everlasting life. 

Such a man — such a minister, is dignified. There 
are none but will be impressed with it. Few will 
trifle in his presence, for he is believed to be one 
that has much to do with G-od. All will respect 
him, for it is clear that the motives by which he is 
influenced are far higher and purer than what actu- 
ate most men. His is the dignity of holiness — of 



FOR THE TIMES. 87 

purity — of death to the world. It is the dignity 
of faith ; — he believes God, and is not ashamed. 
It is the dignity of love ; — God is the centre of his 
soul, and he loves his neighbour as himself. It is 
the dignity of hope ; — for his is the hope of glory. 
It is the dignity of action ; — he lives to save the 
souls of men. It is the dignity of relation ; — he is 
a child of God. It is the dignity of prospect; — 
he is an heir of heaven. It is the dignity of sta- 
tion, for he is an ambassador of the King of kings ; 
— the dignity of knowledge, for he knows the only 
living and true God, and Jesus Christ, whom he 
has sent ; — the dignity of rank — his crown awaits 
him ; — the dignity of beauty — he is a new creation ; 
— the dignity of safety — angels encamp around ; — 
the dignity of happiness — God is his portion ; — 
and the dignity of permanence — he shall never be 
moved. 



XLII. 

" He was sick — but God had mercy on him." — Phil, li, 27. 

The minister for the times is a healthy man. It is 
not meant that no minister of feeble health is adapt- 
ed to do good to the present generation ; for some 
of this class are well known to be among the most 
useful labourers in the vineyard of Christ. Though 
faint, they yet pursue. Their energies, though slen- 
der and declining, are all laid upon the altar, and 
are crowned with the blessing of Heaven. Yet 



88 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

these times require of the minister who would be 
fully adapted to meet all their demands, that he be 
in full possession of bodily health and activity. 
Great labours are expected of him. Calls for min- 
isterial effort are various, as well as arduous ; and 
the minister of this age should attempt much, and 
accomplish excellent things. Hence, let him be a 
man whose physical machinery is perfect. Let his 
blood flow cheerily, and his nerves be firm, and his 
muscles " strong as iron bands," and his limbs never 
lack energy and elasticity. Let his countenance be 
fresh, and fair, and animated, and joyous. Let his 
lungs be strong and perfect, and his voice as a tried 
and well-tuned instrument. To him let the wind 
be as delicious music, and the storm a plaything, 
and the cold refreshing, and the heat congenial. 
To his healthful and glad eye let every day, whether 
of clouds or sunshine, breathe but enchantment; 
and as he springs, at early morning, from his couch 
of repose, let it be as a giant refreshed, and as a 
strong man rejoicing to run a race. Thus let the 
good minister abide firm amid gathering years. 
Let him not make haste to decline. He must grow 
old ; but, so far as possible, let it be like the old 
age of Moses, the eye not being dim, nor the natu- 
ral force abated. 

For this, he will, of course, be temperate in all 
meats and drinks — in all labours and excitements. 
All will be regular within. The conscience will be 
void of offence. Hope will live in perennial bloom. 
Faith will be constant as the breath. Prayer and 



FOR THE TIMES. 89 

praise will abound. Every faculty will be in strong, 
yet temperate exercise. There will be no rusting, 
on the one hand, nor wearing on the other ; but, as 
a select instrument, he will move and accomplish 
his earthly destiny, when the wheels of life shall 
stand still. All which the God of Nature, Provi- 
dence, and Grace designed in his sojourn upon earth, 
is accomplished. He shakes himself for a great, a 
strong, and protracted effort. He begs of God to 
give him a long and a good day, that he may fight 
manfully and finish his course, and leave his mark, 
or, rather, impress his Saviour's image on the world. 



XLHI. 

"Am I not free?" — 1 Cor. ix, 1. 

The minister for the times is an independent man, 
He calls no man master upon earth. His inde- 
pendence is discerned in his searchings of the Holy 
Scriptures. In those solemn and responsible stu- 
dies, he forgets, in a sense, all human authorities 
and human sects, and rises above all differing creeds 
and varying systems. He respects, of course, the 
profound theologians of past ages. He acknow- 
ledges there were " giants in those days ;" yet he 
reeognizes but one master — that is, Christ. He 
yields to no view of any passage of the Holy Scrip- 
tures, for the reason that it is the view of any un- 
inspired man. On all the Scriptures he labours to 



90 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

form an unbiased judgment in the matter of inter- 
pretation ; while, at the same time, he refuses no 
aid that may be proffered or afforded. If an emi- 
nent apostle treated with earnest disdain any at- 
tempt, on the part of the Corinthian Christians, to 
arrange themselves as parties, whether under him- 
self, or Apollos, or Cephas, with the more propriety 
does the true minister refrain from identifying him- 
self with the opinions of any conspicuous leader, or 
with any religious or doctrinal party ism. He will 
" not be brought under the power " of any such in- 
fluence. And while independent in his theoretical 
views of divine doctrine, he has equal independence 
in preaching and teaching them. He preaches what 
he believes, regardless of fear or favour; and, in 
his general movements and character, his great in- 
quiry is, not what will be merely pleasing or ac- 
ceptable, but what is duty. This is the great pole- 
star of his life, from which his calm yet earnest eye 
never, for one moment, wanders. If, while duty is 
secured, he may likewise please all men, he will not 
fail to do so. He will run all lengths for this, and 
make any sacrifice, and study every adaptation to 
differing tastes and prejudices, so long as right and 
duty be not infringed. But, for the sake of pleas- 
ing all men — for the sake of concentrating upon 
himself the smiles of a world, he will not transgress 
— he will not be unfaithful to the great trust com- 
mitted to his keeping. His is a determined inde- 
pendence, yet not that which is obtrusive and of- 
fensive ; — not so much that which is outward and 



FOR THE TIMES. 91 

ostensible, as that which impregnates the spirit of 
the man, and whose movements are mostly unseen 
and noiseless. You will read it not by insulated 
and prominent outbreaks, but as you read true dig- 
nity, adorning every thought, and motion, and action. 



XLIV. 

" Quit you like menV—X Cor. xvi, 13. 

The minister for the times is a man. In him is 
nothing weak and sickly ; — he has a vigorous, sound, 
and healthy spirit. In him is nothing mean, or low, 
or grovelling ; — he is honest, high-minded, honour- 
able. There is no whining and complaining ; — he 
is forever rejoicing that men and things are better 
than they might have been. He is no croaker, for 
he constantly knows that if wickedness abounds, so 
does righteousness also ; and that, on the whole, 
no former days have witnessed greater efforts than 
the present for the spread of Christ's kingdom. He 
descends to no strifes or bickerings — the world has 
other and more elevated demands upon him. Stoop- 
ing not to participate in the transient hopes of time, 
the world's regeneration is alone sufficient to fill his 
eye. He is manly in his views of saving truth ; for 
his ear is ever turned toward God, to hear what he 
will speak. Man may err, but " thy word is truth." 
He is manly in his notions of duty and action — 
viewing that here God's voice is to be heard, and, 



92 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

being heard, is to be obeyed, though the " heavens 
fall." He is manly in the feelings and sympathies 
of his heart; — manly in the action and results of 
his intellectual nature ; — manly in the spirit and 
bearing which he always and everywhere exhibits. 
His conduct is manly ; and that, too, whether he 
be alone, or with the multitude; — whether in his 
own family, or amid the families of his congrega- 
tion. He is manly in conducting the ceremonies of 
public worship, and in the humble exercises of the 
conference-room and the praying circle. He is 
manly in all his dealings with men ; — manly in his 
studies and recreations — in his instructions of the 
young and of the more mature. He is manly in 
his intercourse with Christians, and with those who 
are " without ;" — manly in his adherence to his own 
religious sentiments, and in all his deportment to- 
ward ministers and Christians of other names, and 
toward all mankind. He is manly in his plans, and 
manly in their execution. He is manly in rebuking, 
exhorting, persuading, sympathizing, weeping ; — 
and there is no act, or word, or spirit, or motion, 
pertaining to him, which does not accord entirely 
with the true and proper dignity of a man. 



J} art JStfonb. 



THE MINISTER FOR THE TIMES 
AS A STUDENT. 



THE MINISTER OF CHRIST FOR THE TIMES. 



PART II. 



I. 

"Meditate."—! Tim. iv, 15. 

The minister for the times is a student. The case 
appears a very plain one. In the first place, in ad- 
dition to a sound mind as a basis, certain qualifica- 
tions are necessary for the minister. Secondly, 
those qualifications should be, as nearly as possible, 
those of the first preachers of Christianity, saving, 
of course, the miraculous gifts with which they 
were endowed. Thirdly, such qualifications must 
be secured in one of two ways : either by revela- 
tion, superadded to ordinary study and acquisition, 
or by the latter mode alone ; — accompanied, it is 
true, and essentially aided, by the blessing of God, 
humbly and constantly sought. That ministerial 
qualifications are, in these days, to be conferred by 
immediate revelation, whether in the mode, or to 
the extent, in which extraordinary aid was afforded 
to the apostles, is, I suppose, not expected by any 
rational mind. These qualifications, therefore, must 
be obtained in the ordinary modes of acquisition. 



96 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

In other words, they are to be the result of patient, 
close, prolonged, and prayerful study. 

But what are the acquired qualifications suited to 
a minister for these times ? We answer that they 
are, so far as possible, such qualifications as were 
acquired and possessed in the beginning ; and no- 
thing less must be esteemed appropriate or ade- 
quate. This view appears amply confirmed not 
only by the inspired picture of an " able minister/' 
but also by the apostolic charge to Timothy, whom 
Paul solemnly addresses, saying, " The things that 
thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the 
same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be 
able to teach others also." This means that the 
apostolic learning was to be communicated to their 
successors, and received by them ; and this with a 
view to their competency for instructing others. 

What, then, was this apostolic learning ? It was 
the learning of men who had been long, and large- 
ly, and personally instructed by the Great Teacher ; 
— men who, for years, had sat at the feet of " Him 
that speaketh from heaven," and whose speaking 
was such as never man uttered ; — men who often 
wondered at the gracious words that proceeded out 
of his mouth ; — men that were the companions of 
Jesus as he went through cities and villages teach- 
ing, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom ; — 
men who drank deeply at the very fountain-head 
of truth and wisdom, — to whom thus the great book 
of revelation was unveiled, — who listened as, begin- 
ning at Moses and all the prophets, Christ expound- 



FOR THE TIMES. 97 

ed unto them, in all the Scriptures, the things con- 
cerning himself, until their hearts burned within 
them as he talked with them, and opened to them 
the lively oracles. The apostolic learning is that 
of men who were the companions of the Lord Jesus 
all the time that he went in and out among: them, 
beginning from the baptism of John to the very- 
day that he was taken up ; — men to whom he " ex- 
pounded all things," — who saw and heard the 
" many other " things which Jesus did and spoke, 
by far too numerous to be written, and too aston- 
ishing for a sinful world to believe. 

Judge, then, what must have been the learning 
of the first gospel ministers. They were eye-wit- 
nesses from the beginning, and " had perfect un- 
derstanding of all things from the very first. " Are 
there any privileges greater in this age for securing 
the qualifications adapted to a preacher of the gos- 
pel ? Are the most studious and profound in this 
generation any better prepared — can they be better 
prepared to perform this solemn ministry ? Can 
they know more of Christ — of his doctrine — of his 
spirit and practice — and of the best modes of in- 
structing and persuading men so as that they may 
be saved ? What, then, is the inference ? This, 
simply ; that if the deepest and most diligent study 
will not, to say the least, bring us farther than to 
the standard of apostolic learning, then any less de- 
gree of study will leave us less qualified than were 
they for the great ministerial work ; and what they 
taught and preached, we shall not be fully " able 
7 



98 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

to teach others also." In other words, this minis- 
try will not, and, without miracle, cannot, be per- 
fectly accomplished in us and by us. 

Thus the conclusion is irresistible, that the good 
and able minister — the minister for these times — is, 
and must be, a diligent, faithful, earnest, and un- 
tiring student. Aiming at nothing less than primi- 
tive acquirements and excellence, he will give his 
mind and heart to the things of God, and, by all 
appropriate means, pursue after divine knowledge. 
He studies not everything. Thousands and thou- 
sands of books he never reads ; but he looks earn- 
estly for every acquisition — every ornament suitable 
and needful for his most important work. To these 
he devotes himself unreservedly, rigidly adapting 
his means to the end in view. He expects no mi- 
raculous interference to qualify him suddenly, and 
without his own strong effort, for the minister's 
work. If he desires to speak or read in "other 
tongues," he thinks of no way to do so other than 
hard study, with God's blessing. If he would un- 
derstand all saving truth, he looks for no angelic 
teacher to appear for his special benefit; but he 
gives himself to this truth, and searches as for 
hid treasure, and ponders, and weighs, and com- 
pares spiritual things with spiritual. Longing to 
find out all appropriate modes of approaching men 
with a view to their instruction, awakening, and sal- 
vation, he sets his mind to think and inquire for 
these with a zeal which nothing can quench. He 
is ever and always searching for the " new things 



FOE THE TIMES. 99 

and old " — pondering the fairest shape in which to 
present them to the attention of the multitude — - 
running hither and thither in his mind after every 
appropriate and powerful illustration, and examin- 
ing long and carefully to make sure of the exact 
spirit and manner of communication, that he may 
thus be a scribe well instructed — a minister ap- 
proved of God — a workman that needeth not to 
be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 
He is, in a word, a reading, meditative, thoughtful 
man. His mind is on the alert, — it is awake and 
alive to one thing. 

"My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and 
hide my commandments with thee ; so that thou 
incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thy heart 
to understanding ; yea, if thou criest after know- 
ledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding ; 
if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her 
as for hid treasure ; then shalt thou understand the 
fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God." 



XL 

" Mighty in the Scriptures" — Acts xviii, 24. 

The minister for the times is a student of the Holy 
Scriptures. He has gone over the Bible carefully, 
critically, and prayerfully, — searching diligently 
what was the mind of the Spirit in every book and 
in every passage. The Bible is, comprehensively, 



100 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

the book of his life — the grand centre and subject 
of his studies. His labour in all study is to become 
as familiarly and extensively acquainted with this 
book as, in his circumstances, is possible. This is 
his principle — this is his practice. He seizes every 
moment, and every means, and every privilege, for 
extending his acquaintance with the divine oracles. 
Not satisfied with a knowledge of the original 
tongues of the Bible, he seeks all necessary histo- 
rical knowledge of the several writers of the Scrip- 
ture books, and of the times in which they lived ; 
also, a knowledge of the principles of criticism. 
He will attain, either from the books themselves, or 
from more recent authors, as competent a know- 
ledge as may be of the things treated of, and al- 
luded to, in the sacred writings. Hence, he fa- 
miliarizes himself with Sacred Geography, Chro- 
nology, Civil and Political History, and Archaeolo- 
gy. In other words, he labours to understand 
whatever respects the literature and climate of the 
places and countries w^here the events related in the 
Bible transpired ; and whatever defines the times 
when such events took place, as well as of other 
matters mentioned or alluded to, together with their 
manners and customs. — Prof. Stuart. It is his aim, 
as he reads the Scriptures, to understand everything, 
so far as it may be, and ought to be, understood. 
He would bring himself up, as near as possible, to 
the perception of that very meaning which was in 
the mind of the sacred writers themselves when 
they penned those books. Differences of time, 



FOR THE TIMES, 101 

place, climate, scenery, education, manners, cus- 
toms, and government, — differences which tend to 
throw obscurity around many passages of the Scrip- 
tures, he labours assiduously to overcome. By ap- 
propriate and comprehensive reading — by deep, 
Christian, and careful study and meditation, he en- 
deavours to throw himself back amid Scripture 
times. Scripture names are, with him, as house- 
hold words. Scripture localities are, to his eye, 
very much as the remembered groves, and hills, 
and fountains of his native abode. His purified 
imagination pictures forth, in vivid perspective, the 
hallowed scenes of sacred story. The hills of Ju- 
dea, the plains of the Jordan, the excellency of 
Carmel, the glory of Lebanon, the shores of Gen- 
nesareth, and the richness and beauty of Gilead and 
of Bashan, are to him as familiar objects. And he 
roams with patriarchs and prophets, and long and 
deeply listens to the bard of Israel, and mingles 
with the apostles, and walks with Jesus, and is 
charmed and subdued with the eloquence which 
flowed with celestial fulness from lips inspired. He 
has sought, in a sense, the mind, the ear, the infor- 
mation, the associations and feelings of an intelli- 
gent Jew, who may be supposed to have listened 
to the strains of David, Isaiah, or Jeremiah, — to 
the visions of Ezekiel, Daniel, or John, — to the sim- 
plicity of Matthew, or the logic of Paul. He has 
acquired a capacity to live in past and distant ages, 
inhale their atmosphere, and move and dwell fa- 
miliarly with their realities ; and, without embar- 



102 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

rassment, to converse with scenes long past away. 
And this capacity was reached, not by miracle, but 
by a pure and devoted mind, acting with a strong 
and well-directed effort, put forth with constancy 
and long perseverance. 



III. 

"Take heed — unto the doctrine" — 1 Tim. iv, 16. 

The minister for the times is a student of Theology. 
Systematic Theology is u such a methodically ar- 
ranged form of the great truths and precepts of 
religion as enables the theological student to con- 
template them in their natural connexion, and thus 
to perceive both the mutual dependence of the parts 
and the symmetry of the whole." By careful and 
prayerful study, the faithful minister aims to ascer- 
tain what are the doctrines of the Bible. He seeks 
to understand clearly and familiarly the various ar- 
guments drawn from Scripture and from reason for 
the establishment of each specific doctrine, as well 
as the objections to each that may have been urged, 
together with the refutation of such objections. He 
receives the exhortation of the apostle, to take heed 
to himself and to the doctrine, and perceives clearly 
that on his being competent here depends very 
much his ability and success in the great work to 
which he is called. He establishes himself in the 
truth. The great doctrines of the Christian scheme 



FOR THE TIMES. 103 

stand forth in living, breathing, divine forms before 
the eye of his mind. He contemplates them in 
their separate existence, as also in their mutual re- 
lations, properties, and affinities. For he recog- 
nizes not the doctrines of revelation merely as insu- 
lated blocks, standing apart from each other, but 
rather as parts of one majestic and glorious struc- 
ture. " Like the stones of a well-constructed arch," 
says a living writer, " every part of the doctrine of 
revelation is not only essential to the rest, but oc- 
cupies the exact place which gives union and sta- 
bility to the whole. The different doctrines cohere. 
They all unite in the guilt and corruption of man, 
and in the incarnation and sacrifice of Christ. If 
any one part be taken away, the remainder becomes 
disjointed and useless. For what is the doctrine of 
redemption without the fall ? or that of the fall 
without the doctrine of redemption ? And what is 
the doctrine of the Holy Spirit, unless sustained by 
both of the preceding ? And what is the infinitely 
holy character of God, if separated from the other 
doctrines of which it is the key-stone — the essen- 
tial primary part which knits the whole arch to- 
gether?'' — Bishop Wilson, of Calcutta. 

Thus the true minister not only studies the doc- 
trines of the Bible, each by itself, and that with the 
utmost care, precision, research, and candour, but 
he studies them as a system — each having its ap- 
propriate position and use, and, in their united ca- 
pacity, constituting a magnificent plan whose author 
is God, and whose development is destined to evolve 



104 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

the eternal happiness of millions of the race. He 
has no idea of fulfilling his commission, especially 
as a teacher and preacher, without great effort here. 
So far as industry, and every appropriate means, 
can make him such, he is evangelical, accurate, ju- 
dicious, and profound, as a theologian. Every day 
he is pushing his researches, reviewing the great 
doctrines of the cross, applying them deeply to his 
own heart, and laying hold of every aid, that he 
may perceive the truth in all its extent, and in all 
its relations. He cultivates a strong, vigorous, well- 
balanced, theological mind. He is a zealous, hum- 
ble, untiring student of the things of God ; and, 
taking heed to himself and to the doctrine, he both 
saves himself and them that hear him. 



IV. 

" Walk about ZionV — Psa. xlviii, 12. 

The minister for the times is a student of Church 
History. He is aware that an accurate and exten- 
sive knowledge of the history of the Church is as 
important to a minister, as such a knowledge of 
civil and political history is to the statesman. He 
would trace the causes of the prosperity and de- 
cline of Christianity. He looks after the origin, 
progress, and effects of religious persecution. He 
examines the origin and history of religious errors,, 
and the means by which they have been promoted* 



FOR THE TIMES. 105 

and especially the measures by which they have 
been subdued or checked. He searches that, by a 
familiar acquaintance with the history of the Church, 
he may seize upon numerous interesting and pow- 
erful illustrations for enriching and adorning- dis- 
course, and enforcing truth. He would thus, also, 
confirm his faith, and learn the importance of sta- 
bility and calmness in troublous times. He would, 
by profound attention to these studies, promote his 
piety, improve his memory, imagination, and rea- 
soning powers, and greatly enlarge his knowledge 
of mankind. — Prof. Emerson. 

Nor, in examining the history of religion, and of 
religious opinions, does he confine himself to ages 
long past away. He watches carefully more re- 
cent and present aspects of religious belief ; for he 
is aware that the religious history of the past tends 
strongly to illuminate that of the present, while 
what is now transpiring essentially aids to account 
for many religious phenomena of former ages. Then 
he knows, also, that a knowledge of the present re- 
ligious opinions, as well as of those of other times, 
is indispensable to any proper and effectual defence 
of the truth as it is in Jesus. The minister for the 
times discerns the present age to be rife with reli- 
gious errors. Most of these, indeed, are not new, 
but simply a revival of old and putrid error, such 
as the history of the Church assures him sprang up 
centuries ago, and died, to be resuscitated in after 
ages by new races of enthusiasts and fanatics. Yet 
he sees that these modern editions of former here- 



106 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

sies, together with any revisions and alterations they 
may have undergone, are all necessary to be known 
by the preacher, and must form a part of his read- 
ing and studies, in order that he may be qualified 
to meet and overthrow them. " Opinions, in some 
respects new, — new, at least, to the common peo- 
ple, — are almost daily introduced. And besides, old 
errors are sustained by new sophistries; and the 
preacher who would keep pace in minute acquaint- 
ance with the march of novelty in the theological 
world, especially at this day, when the means are so 
multiplied for accelerating the progress of thought 
through society, will find sufficient occupation for 
all the time he can well spend from the immediate 
business of his calling." — Dr. Skinner. 



V. 

"Study to show thyself — a workman." — 2 Tim. ii, 15. 

The minister for the times is a student of Preach- 
ing. It is easy to conceive that a man may be 
deeply learned in the Holy Scriptures, and in the- 
ology, while yet he may essentially fail as a preach- 
er. It is one thing to know, and another thing to 
communicate ; — one thing to be learned, and a dif- 
ferent thing to be eloquent. And far too numerous 
have been the examples of radical deficiency in the 
great work of preaching, where learning and piety 
were not wanting. Hence the wise minister recog- 



FOR THE TIMES. 107 

nizes preaching as one of his prominent departments 
of study. He inquires diligently after the elements 
of efficiency and power in public discourse, and es- 
pecially in religious discourse. Eager to detect each 
and all of these, and keeping them ever before his 
eye, he labours, by the appropriate studies and dis- 
ciplinary exercises, to correct every error, improve 
every faculty, and supply every deficiency. With 
him there is special importance, not only in the 
question what he shall bring before the people, but 
also in the inquiry how it shall be presented. What 
is the exact shape that will be the best possible, 
and the most effectual, in the accomplishment of 
the great object ? What is the right method with 
this and the other theme ? What is the most ap- 
propriate style in every case ? What is the action ? 
And how is it to be acquired, and what the obsta- 
cles to be overcome ? In a word, wherein lies the 
ability to proclaim the glorious gospel in ways and 
modes the most instructive, impressive, persuasive, 
and saving, that is possible in human instrument- 
ality? 

A great question ! worthy of the severest, most 
eager, and constant scrutiny of the minister of right- 
eousness. A divine accomplishment ! worthy the 
largest labours and sacrifices to attain. Nor with- 
out such labours and sacrifices is it likely to be se- 
cured. " The business of choosing, adapting, and 
analyzing subjects of discourse ; — of arranging, com- 
paring, correcting, and applying discourse itself, and 
of so living, and so disciplining the heart, as to keep 



108 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

one's self in the necessary mood and tone of mind 
for the just enunciation and delivery of discourse, — 
this is work to be no otherwise done by any man 
than by laborious and indefatigable application." 
" Let no one suppose that anything will ever make 
it easy work to speak well in public. Occasions 
and circumstances may rouse the mind into high 
action, and the result may be surprising displays 
of eloquence without much specific effort at prepa- 
ration ; but life is not made up of occasions of ex- 
traordinary excitement. Let all persons who de- 
sign to be efficient and successful speakers in pub- 
lic, bid adieu to sensual indulgence, resist all temp- 
tations to mental sloth, and make a covenant with 
labour, as their portion and pleasure under the sun." 
— Dr. Skinner. 



VI. 

"Prove your own selves" — 1 Cor. xiii, 5. 

The minister for the times is a student of man. A 
profound knowledge of mankind is one of the in- 
dispensable qualifications of the successful minister. 
He must know, to an eminent degree, " what is in 
man." As a preacher, he should especially know 
what are the directest avenues to the mind and the 
heart. In other words, he must know, without 
mistake, what it is that generally interests the minds 
of men. and what it is that moves, and affects, and 
sways their hearts. He must ponder well the springs 



FOR THE TIMES. 109 

of human sympathy and action. He must be fa- 
miliar as well with their antipathies as their partial- 
ities. Contemplating a given result, he must know 
the means, and all the combinations of means, that 
are necessary to produce it. He must know how 
to avoid defeat, on the one hand, and how to ensure 
success, on the other. To this important end the 
good minister studies deeply his own mind. Aware 
that the great principles of human nature are com- 
mon to all, he seeks to know himself, that he may 
thus know all others. He marks the diversified 
agencies that move and affect his own heart — he 
notices the thoughts and modes that impress and 
convince his own mind, as well as those which fail 
of such an effect. He examines well all that con- 
tributes to the result, when he himself is pleased 
for his good to edification, or when the opposite 
influence is realized. Thus it is, that while disposed 
to be useful, he possesses, also, the requisite ability ; 
and is skilful to please all men, not seeking his own 
profit, but the profit of many, that they may be 
saved. 

The good minister, then, studies man. He com- 
munes with his own heart. He examines, and proves 
himself. For the same end he converses — he pe- 
ruses history and biography, especially biographies 
of eminent and successful ministers. He is deeply 
read in intellectual science and ethics, and in the 
Holy Scriptures. Always, and everywhere, he stu- 
dies mankind ; and his profiting herein is manifest 
hi ail his public and private ministrations. 



110 MINISTER OF CHEIST 



vn. 



" The prophets have inquired and searched diligently." 

1 Pet. i, 10. 

The minister for the times is a diligent student. 
He redeems time to the utmost. He realizes that 
every waking, conscious moment is to send after 
him its eternal echo, as he shall traverse the cycles 
of interminable ages. Hence, he longs with a great 
desire that every passing moment may receive from 
him the fairest, holiest impress. He is diligent — 
he is never unemployed — he is never employed tri- 
flingly. He buys up every precious hour and min- 
ute, that he may finish his course with joy, and the 
ministry he has received of the Lord Jesus. He 
seizes the early morning ; and while thousands, less 
resolute and diligent, are slumbering, he is pushing 
rapidly and strongly the great work of his life. 

Dr. Doddridge owed the production of his " Fa- 
mily Expositor," and most of his other writings, to 
his rising at five, instead of seven o'clock in the 
morning ; and he correctly computed that such a 
difference in the hour of rising, maintained during 
forty years, would, reckoning eight hours a day, 
add ten years of time for study to a man's life. So 
many precious years the good minister may not 
sacrifice for the sake of any graceless self-indul- 
gence. He hastens to redeem them ; for, in so 
many redeemed years, he may, with God's help, 



FOR THE TIMES. Ill 

make an impression on the world that will affect 
the latest ages of time, and gather for himself glory 
that will never fade away. 

John Wesley, in one of his sermons, writes that, 
sixty years before, he began to rise at four, instead 
of seven or after, and that he had continued to do 
so ever since. Thus, on the principle of reckoning 
above alluded to, he redeemed twenty-two years 
and ten months, which, during those sixty years, 
and with his former habits, would have been lost, 
and worse than lost. So, also, an eminent living- 
writer of our own country, who has blessed the 
Church with some of the most precious writings in 
our religious literature, gave to those writings, al- 
most exclusively, his early morning hours. 

So diligent — so covetous of time, is the minister 
who is adapted to this generation. He denies him- 
self, takes up his cross, sells all that he has, and 
buys — time. And having bought it, and made it 
sure, then he uses it. That solemn page — the page 
that is to be reviewed at the judgment — is well filled 
and pure. He labours with his might. Every en- 
ergy is rallied to the subject or point under inves- 
tigation. If the thoughts wander for a moment, 
they are immediately summoned anew, and led on 
with increased energy and power, until the allotted 
task is finished, and the mind has triumphed. 



112 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

vm. 

" If thou seehest her as silver" — Prov. ii, 4. 

The minister for the times is a faithful student. 
While he studies diligently, he studies effectually 
and successfully. He does not trifle with his mind, 
nor with the great matters on which he undertakes 
to meditate. If he reads, he reads so as to possess 
himself fully and clearly of the views of the writer, 
and gives the proper arrangement and classification 
to whatever he may acquire. Hence, he reads de- 
liberately, attentively, and cautiously, — suffering 
nothing to escape his observation that may be of 
use to him in his professional work, or in the gene- 
ral improvement of his mind and heart. 

If he writes, he does justice to his theme to the 
full extent that his abilities will allow. He gives 
no place to restlessness or impatience; — none to 
sloth, or dulness, or improper haste. He carefully 
investigates and compares. He guards against any 
defective reasoning and doubtful conclusions. He 
thinks as patiently, as justly, as profoundly, as pos- 
sible. He gives due attention that his style may 
accord with his sentiments, and that the whole per- 
formance be as nearly perfect as may be. 

If he is preparing for preaching, he has the same 
spirit of faithfulness as when in the actual work of 
preaching. There are similar aspirations for the 
welfare of souls — the same awful sense of respon- 



FOR THE TIMES. 113 

sibility. There is the same Holy Spirit prompting, 
encouraging, helping him. He is faithful in his 
theme, and in the views he adopts. He searches 
the Scriptures with eagerness and candour. He 
labours to find out the mind of the Spirit. He 
goes after all appropriate thought, argument, illus- 
tration, and embellishment. He renders his dis- 
course as strong, as evangelical, as persuasive and 
finished, as he is able to render it. With the means 
at his command, he spares no pains in this all-im- 
portant branch of his studies. 

The faithful minister is a faithful student. Whe- 
ther his opportunities for study be many or few, 
and whether the amount of his studying be greater 
or less, he studies faithfully. He never contents 
himself with half -formed notions. He scorns to be 
superficial. For the half day, or the half hour, he 
gives himself wholly to his work ; and the general 
integrity, conscientiousness, and uprightness of his 
character, are as active in the department of study, 
as in any other department of his ministerial labours. 



IX. 

" Continue— "— 1 Tim. iv, 16. 

The minister for the times is a persevering student. 
When has a gospel minister finished up, and laid 
aside, his important studies? When is the Holy 
Bible, in language and style — in poetry and song — 
8 



114 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

in vision and prophecy — in parable and simple de- 
scription — in narrative and epistle — in argumenta- 
tion and exhortation — in ethics and divinity — when 
is it all comprehended and understood, and to be 
laid aside as a concluded study ? When is all 
Christian doctrine canvassed — all its relations seen 
— all its true arrangement decided — all its applica- 
tions perceived — ail its arguments marshalled and 
weighed — all objections met — all its sublimity and 
glory appreciated — all its wondrous power realized ? 
When is all preaching perfected — all Christian and 
gospel themes spread forth in transcendent beauty 
and power — all elements of holy eloquence seized, 
and woven irreversibly into the contexture of the 
preacher's being — all soul-subduing efficiency and 
force guarantied to every presentation from the put- 
pit — and every sermon such, that were it otherwise 
than what it is, it must inevitably be inferior ? 

Questions such as these require, of course, no 
answer. All of us are children ; and, in respect to 
progress, immensely more is the ground we have 
to traverse, than what we have already passed. 
If the mighty Newton — the intellectual Coryphaeus 
of the human race — contemplated himself as hav- 
ing but picked up a pebble or two on the shore of 
the great ocean of truth, much more should Christian 
ministers assume to themselves but to have com- 
menced the sublime ascent of knowledge and at- 
tainment. 

The minister for the times, then, is a student now, 
and a student always. In this respect, he is ever 



FOR THE TIMES. 115 

reaching forth to the things that are before him. 
He never esteems himself to have become suffi- 
ciently learned in the things of God, nor sufficiently 
competent, without further study, to deliver per- 
fectly the gospel message. And even when old 
age has come over him, and his eyes are " darken- 
ed," and his mind enfeebled, and all his powers 
weary and faltering, he still communes deeply with 
the Holy Scriptures, and is a glad and humble stu- 
dent and learner at the feet of the great Teacher. 



$art ©Ijirtr. 



THE MINISTER FOR THE TIMES 
AS A PREACHER. 



THE MINISTER OF CHRIST FOR THE TIMES. 



PART III. 



"Preach?— 2 Tim. iv, 2. 

The minister for the times is a Preacher. Preach- 
ing is the vocal and public proclamation of the gos- 
pel ; and this is the capital office and work of the 
minister — and of the minister for these times, as 
well as for all time. It was thus that the gospel 
dispensation commenced. Christ was announced by 
preaching. When He appeared, he came preach- 
ing. He passed through all the cities and villages, 
teaching, and preaching the gospel Gf the kingdom. 
The Spirit of the Lord was upon him, anointing him 
to preach the gospel to the poor. The apostolic 
commission was to preach. Paul was called, by 
God's grace, to preach Christ among the heathen. 
This was his special work ; for Christ sent him not 
to baptize, but to preach the gospel. Thus this 
apostle writes of those who were begotten through 
the gospel. Peter writes of such as were born not 
of corruptible seed, but by the word of God ; and 
James writes of himself and others being begotten 



120 MINISTER OF CHKIST 

with the word of truth. And how shall men be- 
lieve in one of whom they have not heard ? And 
how shall they hear without a preacher ? This is 
the divinely appointed instrumentality for the awa- 
kening and salvation of the race. Its importance, 
either from too much inadequate preaching, or from 
the multiplication of benevolent agencies, or from 
the degeneracy of the times, may have come to be 
more lightly esteemed than formerly. Yet preach- 
ing is still the great agency — the grand means 
for the world's regeneration. It is true now, as 
ever of old, that faith cometh by hearing, and 
hearing, by the proclamation of the word of God. 
Nor is he at all the minister for these times who 
hopes to save the souls of men by other means as 
effectually as by the preaching of the gospel. He- 
lms forgotten the ancient landmarks. He is strik- 
ing out another path than that which He devised 
who gave the great gospel commission. Converse 
he should, at every opportunity. Write he should, 
wherever his pen may awaken, or guide, or com- 
fort. The press he may use, so far as he has time, 
to aid the great cause for which he lives and acts. 
But let him not forget that preaching — preaching 
\s his great business — his high calling — his hea- 
venly ordnance — his celestial sword — his burnished 
weapon of warfare — his strong staff of accomplish- 
ment. Preaching has done wonders from the day 
of Pentecost to the present ; and that, because it 
is God's own select instramentality. Immeasura- 
bly the greater proportion of saints in Paradise, and 



FOR THE TIMES. 121 

of the great multitude now travelling thither, were 
brought to salvation by gospel preaching. Preach- 
ing awoke them at first — led them on to repent- 
ance, faith, conversion, sanctification, and perseve- 
rance ; while its solemn voice, like some strange, 
invisible power, is ever lifting the Christian toward 
God, — dying away on the pilgrim's ear only when 
the everlasting doors have shut him within the hea- 
venly city. To the Jew, it may be a stumbling- 
block ; to the wise of this world, it may appear as 
foolishness ; while yet by such foolishness hath it 
pleased God to save them that believe. 'This is 
still the power of God and the wisdom of God ; — 
this will still be the power of God unto salvation 
to every one that believes. 

What, then, of the minister adapted to these 
times ? He is a preacher. This is his work. For 
this he studies, and prays, and converses, and re- 
creates, and eats, and drinks, and lives. This, in 
his mind, is the most weighty and important of all 
human transactions and efforts. By this, men are 
saved from an eternal hell, and exalted to immortal 
life. This is the joyful sound. This is the hea- 
venly heralding. This is the startling note, effect- 
ively warning millions on millions away from the 
wrath to come. This is the solemn trumpet, echo- 
ing from hill-top to hill- top, — waking the " isles of 
the south,'' and shaking the nations. Above all 
voices running along the earth, this is the voice 
which " devils fear," — the voice which hushes to 
peace the heaving billows of grief and despair. 



122 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

This is tlie music which charms the world, and 
transmutes terrestrial nature into the enchanting 
scenery of paradisiacal loveliness and glory. 



n 

" Not a novice" — 1 Tim. iii, 6. 

The minister for the times preaches intellectually. 
He has clear mental conceptions of the several doc- 
trines of the Bible, and of the general system of 
revealed truth. In other words, he is, as before 
seen, learned in the Scriptures, and all his discourses 
give evidence of such learning. As he dwells upon 
any given point of Scriptural doctrine or precept, 
his preaching contravenes not any other truth or 
precept. He is not a novice, but possessed of strong 
and manly understanding of the great charter of 
salvation. As he speaks, you discern the truth pre- 
sented ; — you observe the pertinency of the argu- 
ments and illustrations adduced in its support. You 
will perceive, to a greater or less extent, its relation 
to other truth. You will understand its applica- 
tions and uses. What is preached is not mere rhap- 
sody. The preaching goes not out in words. It 
is not an unstudied and ill-digested harangue, but 
it is an intellectual exercise. The intellect found 
full employ in its preparation, and has full employ 
in its delivery, and gives vigorous and healthy ex- 
ercise to the minds of the hearers. They are con- 



FOR THE ITVW. 123 

vinced that the man who addresses them possesses 
mind and judgment. They feel the force and pro- 
priety of his reasoning. They cannot deny him to 
be a " workman ;" nor can they refuse him that re- 
spect which intellect fails not to command, and 
which every minister of the gospel should be com- 
petent to secure. 



ni 

"A teacher of the Gentiles" — 1 Tim. ii, 7. 

Hence, the minister for the times preaches instruct- 
ively. His preaching is perpetually instructive in 
the great and important things pertaining to reli- 
gion. It is not a mere repetition of what is already 
known to the congregation. The preaching, it is 
true, has much to do with old and familiar truths ; 
yet, even here, his discourse is instructive. Some 
new view is presented — or some new aspect rises 
to the eye — or some fresh confirmation is afforded 
to what was before partially doubtful — or some in- 
ference, previously unthought of, is deduced — or 
some new, distinct, and important impression, is 
stamped upon the mind and heart. There is brought 
forth from the treasury of God's word things new 
as well as old. Thus, while the understanding of 
the hearer has been addressed and exercised, it has 
been instructed also. The attentive hearer retires 
from the sermon a wiser, as well as a better man. 



124 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

The new warmth and courage of his heart, inspired 
by the preaching, has much to do with the sacred 
instruction which has thus been fastened upon the 
mind. 

And how does the minister gain this " aptness to 
teach ?" He gains it, and gains it only, by his 
strong and unwearied diligence in sacred study and 
in prayer. He dwells very much with his Bible, 
and upon the appropriate modes of exhibiting gos- 
pel truth. He studies for constantly increasing 
power to teach and preach the glorious gospel. 
He meditates upon these things, and gives himself 
wholly to them. He is a successful scholar in the 
school of Christ. The treasures of sacred learning 
are unlocked to him. The kingdoms of Nature, 
Providence, and Grace, are open to his inquiring 
and ardent mind. His days and nights being thus 
employed, he advances with rapid strides in divine 
knowledge, and becomes a scribe well instructed. 
His mind is " thoroughly furnished ;" and when he 
stands up to preach Christ and salvation, it is as 
one who has pondered deeply the things of God. 
He speaks of " excellent things." All the words 
of his mouth are in righteousness. Blessed is the 
man that heareth him ; for his instructions are bet- 
ter than silver, and the knowledge of his lips than 
choice gold. 



FOR THE TIMES. 125 

IV. 

" Understandest thou?" — Acts viii, 30. 

The minister for the times preaches understand- 
ingly. Not only has he an intellectual view of the 
scheme, proportions, and relations, of religions truth ; 
but he has felt the influence of this truth as it has 
impressed and transformed his heart. His soul has 
been sanctified through the truth. Hence it is that 
he preaches not only with a clear head, but with a 
feeling heart. Preaching the depravity of man, he 
is able not only to present the Scripture view, and 
its abundant confirmation from the history of the 
race; but especially does the history of his own 
heart answer back to the inspired presentation, and 
affords him indispensable aid in unfolding and im- 
pressing this essential truth. Preaching repent- 
ance, he preaches what he has felt, and still feels ; 
and, therefore, knows how to explain and enforce. 
Preaching faith, he points to that Saviour in whom 
he has himself trusted, and still trusts, from mo- 
ment to moment. Preaching pardon, he proclaims 
that which he knows, and testifies that which he 
has seen and felt in his own experience. Preach- 
ing renewal of heart and life, the blissful change in 
his own soul gives a glow and impressiveness to 
such discourse which is never seen where " know- 
ledge " is absent. Preaching the outpouring of the 
Holy Spirit, he tells of a heavenly, mighty influ- 



126 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

ence, that has touched and fired his own heart with 
unearthly aspirations. Proclaiming the danger of 
wicked men, his thoughts are deeply coloured by 
the clear vision he has had of his own peril. Por- 
traying the joys of piety, every feature upon the 
canvass receives a tinge and glory from the rejoic- 
ing spirit that is giving existence to the picture. 
Preaching Christ in all his offices and relations to 
man, all such preaching is essentially modified by 
his own position relatively to the Lord that bought 
him. It is no longer a dead letter. It is not a 
mere disquisition or essay. It is a discourse, rather, 
breathing with life — animated with the Spirit of 
God inhabiting the preacher's heart — glowing with 
heavenly love begotten within the man by Him 
who "maketh his ministers a flame of fire." Fi- 
nally, if he expatiates upon the prospects of the 
Christian, and turns the eyes of the congregation 
toward " everlasting life," all discern at once that 
it is not a mere theory with which he lingers, but 
that he is giving joyous expression to his own blessed 
hope, cast as an anchor within the veil. 



FOR THE TIMES. 127 



"In the word and doctrine" — 1 Tim. v, 17. 

The minister for the times preaches doctrinally. 
He presents in his preaching the several doctrines 
of the Holy Scriptures. Especially does he exhibit, 
largely and fully, what are termed the fundamental 
or essential truths of Christianity, and what are con- 
nected inseparably with holy conduct and character. 
Such was the preaching of Christ Jesus, and the 
multitude was astonished at his doctrine. Such, 
too, was the preaching of the apostles, who were 
early charged with filling Jerusalem with their doc- 
trine. Accordingly, the primitive disciples were 
firmly indoctrinated in respect to the vital truths 
of the cross ; for they are represented, even in the 
early stages of their Christian course,, as continuing 
steadfast in the apostles' doctrine. The Roman 
Christians learned the apostolic form of doctrine, 
and obeyed it from the heart; while they were 
earnestly exhorted to mark those who cause divi- 
sions and offences contrary to the doctrine which 
they had learned, and avoid them. " Thou hast 
fully known my doctrine," writes Paul to Timothy ; 
and he entreats him, as he would be a successful 
minister, to take heed to the same thing ; and charges 
Titus to be uncorrupt, grave, and sincere in doctrine. 
Peter was of the like spirit and practice ; for he was 
not negligent to put Christians always in remem- 



128 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

brance of these things, and that, too, though they 
might already know them, and be established in 
the present truth. 

The true minister of this age fails not to follow 
examples and instructions so exceedingly appro- 
priate. He holds up the truth of God, and sus- 
tains it by competent authority, and explains it by 
all necessary amplification and illustration. He sees 
this to be indispensable. Aware that " doctrines 
of devils" are still taught and cherished among 
men, he would forestall these lies with all possible 
diligence, and establish every mind in the truth of 
God. If there be gainsayers, he would, though 
prudently, yet mightily resist them, and, by the 
inculcation of all necessary truth, banish error from 
the minds and hearts of the people. Those doc- 
trines which are melancholy and unwelcome he is 
careful not to omit, but to preach thep fully and 
faithfully; for all Scripture is profitable for doc- 
trine ; and all Scripture doctrines are profitable, in 
one way or another, for the perfection of the man 
of God, and that he may be thoroughly furnished 
to every good work. " Indeed, these are the grand 
bases of all profitable instruction. The character 
of God, the character of men, the way of salvation 
by Christ, and the kindred doctrines involved by 
necessary connexion with these, are subjects which 
our hearers must be brought to understand, or they 
are taught nothing to any valuable purpose. "— 
Dr. Porter. 



FOR THE TIMES. 129 

VI. 

" That we may present every man perfect? — Col. i, 28. 

The minister for the times preaches practically. 
In every sermon, whether doctrinal or otherwise, 
he aims at practical effect. He would do good. 
This is his "ruling passion" — his great purpose in 
preaching the gospel of Christ. He aims to preach 
so that the gospel shall have its legitimate effect. 
He would enlighten the eyes — make wise the sim- 
ple — rejoice the heart. He would have the word, 
as a hammer, breaking the rock in pieces. Hear- 
ing — Faith — Salvation — this is the Scriptural chain 
which the good preacher forever labours to link 
with his preaching. He looks that the word of 
God be quick and powerful — sharper than a two- 
edged sword ; piercing, even to the dividing asun- 
der of the soul and spirit — of the joints and mar- 
row. He looks that, under every sermon, souls 
should be begotten by the word of truth. He 
watches for the answer of Christ's prayer, that the 
people may be sanctified through the truth. He 
exerts himself for the " pricking of the heart," and 
for the inquiry, "What must I do to be saved?" 
Such being the shining mark, from which he 
never removes his eye, the modifying influences 
thus exerted upon his preaching is obvious to every 
one. He preaches practically. The saving effect 
is not forgotten in the selection of the text, in the 
9 



130 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

arrangement of the sermon, in the character and 
extent of his meditations upon a given point, in his 
mode of reasoning and illustration, in the manner 
of application of his theme to the audience, or in 
the spirit and gesture which accompanies the whole 
performance. For this man to pronounce a merely 
learned and orthodox discourse in the shape of a 
sermon, would be deemed by him a lost effort ; and 
such a Sabbath would be registered, in his calendar, 
as a lost day. He has no time for such a mode of 
preaching. To others is left the service of merely 
pleasing the ear, and giving entertainment to the 
intellect. He must save a soul ere it perishes for- 
ever. He must feed some one hungering for the 
bread of life ; — encourage and refresh some pilgrim 
weary and fainting ; — bind up some heart broken 
and bleeding. He must plant a seed that shall 
germinate and grow, to yield an immortal harvest. 
He must preach a sermon which some forlorn tra- 
veller shall hear, and then go home to die. He 
must, possibly in the next sermon, announce to some 
spirit the last warning or consolation ere that spirit 
meets its God. 



FOR THE TIMES. 131 

VII. 

" Preach the word" — 2 Tim. iv, 2. 

The minister for the times preaches biblically. In 
accordance with the motto of this paragraph, he 
preaches the word. He preaches the doctrines 
and precepts of the Bible, and preaches them after 
a Scriptural manner. If his sermon be topical, his 
point is a Scriptural one, and embraced in his text. 
If the point is to be substantiated more fully, the 
considerations adduced from the Scriptures will al- 
ways hold the prominent place in the argument. 
If the point is to be illustrated rather than demon- 
strated, the Scriptures will be a capital source of 
illustration and embellishment. If, again, the point 
is to be treated as a basis of inferences, these will 
also be shown to be harmonious with the divine 
oracles. 

Or, if the sermon be a textual discourse, its scope 
will be exhibited as consonant with the general tenor 
of the Scriptures. The several ideas or doctrines 
will be presented in the Scriptural order, and so as 
to bring out the genius of the text. They will 
severally be compared with other Scriptures, there- 
by evincing the harmony of inspiration ; while such 
light as the Scriptures generally throw upon the 
whole text, or any of its parts, will be carefully col- 
lated and exmuiccJ lu the hearers. 

Or, often leaving single texts or propositions, he 



132 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

will dwell upon more extended portions of the 
Scriptures, following the track and spirit of the di- 
vine teaching, and aiming, by brief and judicious 
comment, to echo the exact mind of the Spirit as 
He moved the " holy men of old." Thus he will 
stand back, and permit God himself to speak ; and 
the preacher's aim is, that the sermon be as if pro- 
ceeding from the lips of Him who spake as never 
man spake. 

Indeed, it will be a prominent study with this 
minister to detect, by Scripture itself, the most ef- 
fectual modes of teaching and impressing the Scrip- 
tures. The various history, prophecies, discourses, 
instructions, parables, and epistles of the Bible, will 
be carefully examined, analyzed, and studied, with 
this important object fully in view. The humble 
and wise minister distrusts his own skill and genius, 
even in the matter of shaping and constructing his 
discourses. He would serve as a good steward of 
the manifold grace of God. Opening his lips, he 
would speak as the oracles of God. Ministering 
the word of life, he would do it as of the ability 
which God gives, that God may in all things be 
glorified through Jesus Christ. He seeks not to 
come with excellency of speech or of men's wis- 
dom, declaring the testimony of God ; but in de- 
monstration of the Spirit and of power — by the 
effectual mode of preaching which the Spirit dic- 
tates and inspires. 



FOR THE TIMES. 133 

VIII. 

"All Scripture — is profitable." — 2 Tim. iii, 16. 

The minister for the times preaches variously. 
This is as obvious as the truth of the preceding 
paragraph. Adopting the topical, the textual, and 
the expository forms of preaching and studying the 
Scriptures, with a special view to learn all appro- 
priate ways and modes of illustrating and impress- 
ing sacred truth, his preaching will hardly fail of 
variety. Inclining to no one class of truths or doc- 
trines to the neglect of others, but giving to all due 
prominence and proper attention, the diversified 
wants of the hearers will be generally supplied. 
The Bible is the world where the good minister 
breathes, sees, and contemplates ; — where he tra- 
vels, explores, discovers, and wonders ;— where he 
beholds God and angels, and ponders man's eter- 
nal history ; — where a strange array of mighty men, 
and sublime scenery, and astonishing events, and 
enchanting visions, pass before the eye ; — where, 
as he listens, truth falls upon his ear by every ap- 
propriate manner of inculcation. Here he meets 
with " profound reasonings — short prudential, mo- 
ral, and religious maxims — plain and pithy precepts 
— orations in form — poetry of every species, and 
every high degree of excellence — familiar letters — 
private journals — history, both general and bio- 
graphical — together with most other approved 



134 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

modes of communication. "— Dr. Dwight. Thus, 
tlie minister finds endless variety in the book of 
God, while all is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, 
for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that 
the man of God may be perfect — thoroughly fur- 
nished to all good works. Thus he learns, and 
from the highest possible authority, all various per- 
tinent and successful modes of preaching the glo- 
rious gospel. Thus he becomes qualified for every 
necessary adaptation, whether in public or private 
teaching. His mind is rich, Scriptural, scripturally 
balanced, and fruitful. In his preaching he reflects 
the inspired subjects, forms, and costumes of holy 
instruction, warning, and consolation. He is a well- 
instructed scribe. He is a wise builder. He gives 
to each his portion in due season. 



IX. 

" We use great plainness of speech" — 2 Cor. iii, 12. 

The minister for the times preaches simply. In 
other words, he preaches artlessly and plainly. 
The design is to benefit and save all of every class, 
and of every grade of intellect and of education. 
He feels it to be entirely indispensable that he be 
understood. Hence, he preaches with simplicity. 
His plan of discourse is simple. Intricacy, and 
multiplicity of heads and divisions, are avoided. 



FOR THE TIMES. 135 

His scheme has unity and definiteness. His ar- 
rangement is natural and orderly. The main point 
of the discourse, as well as the principal heads, are 
laid down with perspicuity, and with as much brevi- 
ty as possible. Then the style of the whole per- 
formance is simple, though always dignified and 
chaste, and never descending to any vulgar or 
mean expression or word. His terms are popular, 
rather than scientific or technical. Every word is 
as sound and good as it is simple and plain. His 
sentences are idiomatic and easy — -not long and in- 
volved, and are understood as soon as uttered. He 
uses no superabundance of words and expressions ; 
but announces his thoughts plainly and directly, 
and there ceases. If imagery be employed, it is 
always with due moderation and caution, and with 
a preference for that drawn from the " lively ora- 
cles." His elocution, too, corresponds to the sim- 
plicity of his style. As much as possible he avoids 
all mannerisms. He speaks distinctly, properly, 
and naturally ; — not as a man acting a part, or per- 
forming a piece of mere professional service, but as 
one who greatly desires to be understood by every 
hearer, and who is solicitous to impart as well the. 
impressions and emotions of his soul, as the ideas 
of his intellect. With such a speaker, all modes 
and ways will be avoided whose influence is to di- 
vert attention from the appropriate impression and 
purpose of the sermon. The whole arrangement, 
style, elocution, and gesture, are such as to be for- 
gotten by the audience ; while the thoughts, the 



136 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

soul, of the discourse fasten all eyes, and arrest all 
hearts. 

The preacher is simple. In his eye, externals are 
trifling — the Word, everything. That Word, there- 
fore, he preaches with the simplicity of the primi- 
tive preaching. However profound as a reasoner, 
and mighty as a preacher, he prefers to speak five 
words with his understanding, that he might teach 
others also, than ten thousand words either in an 
unknown tongue, or in a style and manner not more 
easily understood. 



X. 

" That they may be saved." — 1 Cor. x, 33. 

The minister for the times preaches definitely. It 
has already been written that there is a lofty and 
mighty purpose in this man's, mind, which actuates 
him by night and by day ; and this purpose is es- 
pecially living and breathing in connexion with his 
preaching. He preaches with the purpose firmly 
in his mind to bring all that audience to the feet of 
Christ. This is his well-defined object, and nothing 
less than this. Here is the point toward which the 
theme — the plan — the sentences — the words — the 
imagery — the argument — the illustration — the elo- 
cution — the gesture — the sermon — the preacher's 
mind and heart — all are directed, as the needle to 
the pole. He will " save some "—he will save all* 



FOR THE TIMES. 137 

if possible, and will save all in that hour. That 
hour — that occasion, is one whose importance eter- 
nity alone can measure. It is, perhaps, the last 
with some hearer — he knows not whom. He must 
gather them all while he may, and now is the ac- 
cepted time. This being his point, his mind and 
thoughts are steady. What is appropriate to his 
purpose he seizes, and omits the rest. The sim- 
plicity — the plainness already described, is sponta- 
neous. All disposition to wander — all mere blan- 
dishments, whether of learning or of w^it, are sacri- 
ficed. His eye looks right on, and he would draw 
every other eye in a single direction. In those 
hours in which he is preaching Christ to sinners — ■ 
calling upon the lost, and proclaiming the great and 
eternal refuge — then, if ever, he seeks, and ear- 
nestly longs, for the profit of many, that they may 
be saved. Then, if ever, he would strike precisely. 
Then, if ever, he reaches after the wisdom that 
" winneth souls." Then his soul is in perfect sym- 
pathy with His who came into the world to save 
sinners. Then he is always reminded to present 
every one perfect in Christ Jesus, 



138 MINISTER OP CHRIST 

XI. 

u — His ministers a flaming fire!' — Psa. civ, 4. 

The minister for the times preaches feelingly. The 
great truths of the gospel have possession not only 
of his understanding, but of his affections also. 
His heart is touched, and graciously moved, by 
what God has spoken. He has not merely specu- 
lated upon God and Christ — upon depravity and 
redemption — upon pardon and holiness — upon a 
judgment to come and eternal retribution. He 
has felt, also, and with profound feeling. He car- 
ries this deep feeling into the pulpit. His soul is 
baptized with the spirit of his theme. All his heart, 
all his powers, are enlisted. He kindles and glows 
with the enrapturing themes of gospel grace. 
Preaching faith to the inquirer and the doubting, 
his preaching is poured forth from a heart actively , 
exercised with the joys of trust, and triumphing in 
the Lord of life. Announcing the remission of sins, 
he freely proffers to others what he feels that he- 
has freely received. Expatiating upon all the pious 
and moral duties of the Christian, he exhibits it as 
an object most dear to his heart, that all Christians 
should adorn their profession by a beautiful life and 
conversation. Dilating upon the prospects of the 
righteous, he evinces that he habitually walks and 
converses with the sublime future — dwelling as in 
eternity; and feels within himself the earnest of 



FOR THE TIMES. 189 

the heavenly inheritance. The unregenerate he 
persuades to repentance and salvation, with a deep 
feeling of "the terrors of the Lord." His view of 
the world is the Bible view. He contemplates but 
two great classes. He anticipates the awful judg- 
ment scene, and the final and unalterable destinies. 
He sees no hope for finally impenitent men, and 
preaches accordingly. Beholding the city of un- 
righteousness, he weeps over it. As far as in his 
power, he enters into the estimate of the soul's 
value, and realizes that for its loss there can be no 
possible compensation or alleviation. Hence, with 
the deepest emotion, he urges the sinner to escape, 
and make no tarrying, lest he be consumed. He 
most affectingly invites him to the great refuge — 
the all-sufficient Saviour of lost men — and joyfully 
bids all to come and receive the promised salvation. 
His is a feeling as well as instructive sermon. The 
thoughtful hearer listens, and, retiring, his heart 
struggles and weeps. He cares not to look to the 
right hand or to the left, but walks silently, while 
the external world is forgotten. The affecting 
words of the preacher have sunk deeply into his 
soul. He is filled with solemnity. His enkindled 
spirit seizes upon high resolves, and from that day 
he is a better man. 



140 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

XII. 

" Shotting — gravity — sound speech!' — Titus ii, 7-8. 

The minister for the times preaches seriously. 
Preaching the gospel of Christ is, in every aspect 
of it, the most serious of all earthly transactions. 
That work whose object is nothing less than that 
men may not perish, but have everlasting life — 
that work which is the divinely designated means 
for this sublime result, — must assuredly, in gravity 
and importance, hold the highest rank among the 
doings of mortals. And he who performs this 
work as he should, makes serious preparation in 
his study ; and, opening his lips, he speaks serious- 
ly. His whole heart is sober — his whole message 
is weighty — his whole manner is grave. He would 
realize that his business in the pulpit is as serious 
as the salvation of men. He forgets not that, fail- 
ing more or less in his preaching, the most disas- 
trous consequences may very probably result, and 
his mind anticipates the account he shall one day 
render of himself to God. His subjects, then, are 
all serious, and so is his manner of discussing them. 
Careless words and expressions, quaint illustrations, 
and all " lightness in his speech," are avoided. His 
voice and action are far removed from everything 
like vanity or display. He preaches 

4< As though he ne'er shall preach again, 
And as a dying man to dying men." 



FOR THE TIMES. 141 

Such was all the preaching and discoursing of 
the inspired preachers. All the Scripture exam- 
ples are solemn and weighty ; nor does there occur 
to the writer's mind a solitary note of a different 
character in whatever Christ or his apostles spoke 
or wrote. 



XIII. 

" Great is my boldness of speech* — 2 Cor. vii, 4. 

The minister for the times preaches boldly. We 
have seen that he fears not man. It is true* he 
has great respect for the congregation ; yet the 
same considerations, in part, that inspire his respect, 
dispose him, also, to boldness in dispensing the gos- 
pel of Christ. He respects men as human, intelli- 
gent beings — as those for whom Christ died — who 
are passing swiftly to the spirit world — who are 
shortly to commence an eternity of unspeakable 
happiness or wretchedness. Yet these are thoughts 
to inspire boldness in the gospel preacher ; while 
the love he bears to Christ, and to the honour of 
God, and to the souls of men — the longings of his 
heart for salvation, forbid him to fear. The bap- 
tism of the Holy Ghost is upon the heart of the 
true minister; and that powerful influence, above 
everything else, animates his preaching with holy 
boldness and assurance. He believes, and there- 
fore speaks. All worldly considerations and influ- 
ences have little regard from him. He is a man of 



142 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

God ; and the will of God, and the things of God, 
engross all his mind and heart. He looks not at 
visible, but at invisible objects. He dwells above 
those considerations that are wont to generate the 
fear of man. He loves the praise of God more 
than the praise of men, and therefore boldly an- 
nounces what God has revealed. Although aware 
that, in preaching the truth of God, some will be 
offended ; yet he also knows that such preaching is 
necessary to the awakening and salvation of these 
same persons. At the same time, he considers 
those examples of preaching which were faultless. 
He ponders the boldness of Christ and his forerun- 
ner, as they preached to the rebellious Jews ; — the 
example of Paul, who spake boldly in the name of 
Jesus, and besought from the Ephesians incessant 
prayer in his behalf, that he might speak boldly, 
as he ought to speak. He considers the boldness 
of Peter, and John, and Stephen, as they charged 
upon the Jewish rulers the murder of the Messiah. 
Finally, he discerns how essential this quality of 
preaching is deemed in all the Scriptures ; and that 
the servants of God, from ancient times, were re- 
quired not to be dismayed at the faces of men, lest 
they be confounded. 



FOR THE TIMES. 143 

XIV. 

u — Speak my word faithfully r ," — Jer. xxiii, 28, 

The minister for the times preaches faithfully : To 
this the boldness of the last paragraph is essential. 
Faithful in his investigations of the Holy Scriptures, 
and in ascertaining what God has spoken to men, 
he is equally conscientious and faithful in declaring 
the truth to the congregation. He rightly divides 
the word of truth, giving to each his portion in due 
season. In his conversation and acquaintance with 
the people, he discerns what may be needful, and 
brings it forth from the divine word regardless of fear 
or favour. No offence, if possible, will be given, whe- 
ther in the matter or manner of his preaching ; but 
he will not be false to his trust to save his life. He 
will preach the word — being instant in season, out 
of season ; reproving, rebuking, exhorting with all 
faithfulness. With Jeremiah, he girds up his loins 
and speaks to the people all that God commands, 
" diminishing not a word." With Ezekiel, he speaks 
all that God tells him, whether men will hear or 
forbear. With Timothy, he will study to show him- 
self approved unto God, With Paul, he keeps 
back nothing that is profitable : " Wherefore I 
take you to record this day, that I am pure from 
the blood of all men, for I have not shunned to 
declare unto you all the counsel of God. * * * 
Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space 



144 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

of three years I ceased not to warn every one night 
and day with tears," 

The true minister would be able to say, at the 
conclusion of every sermon, " I have done all that 
I could rationally do. I sought out a discourse 
acceptable to God, and useful to the people. I 
preached with all possible ability of mind, and all 
possible fervour of soul, and all possible purity of 
motive ; and I have done my utmost to breathe a 
saving influence over all the cong relation.' ' 



xv. 

" — In fear, and in much trembling." — 1 Cor. ii, 3. 

The minister for the times preaches cautiously. 
He is as cautious, as thoughtful, as careful, as he 
is bold and faithful. Having meditated deeply up- 
on the laws of human influence, he remembers that 
the result of a single sermon— nay, even of a single 
expression of a sermon — may be momentous and 
eternal. Its influence, under God, may be to save 
a soul from death, and to hide a multitude of sins. 
It has been known that, to a youth long dispirited 
and without hope, a certain sermon came as a heal- 
ing balm to his fainting spirit, and he arose from 
that hour, and shone a star of the first magnitude ; 
and his voice, during these two hundred years, has 
been instructing thousands and millions of the race. 



FOR THE TIMES. 145 

A young man, twenty-seven years of age, once 
preached a sermon in Scotland, under the influence 
of which about five hundred persons were changed ; 
while through these, doubtless, thousands more 
became savingly influenced.* 

On the other hand, a sermon, or a single expres- 
sion of a sermon, or some peculiar manner of its 
delivery, may result in consequences forever disas- 
trous. It may present some false view. It may 
exert an influence to harden, rather than to win 
and subdue. It may prove untempered mortar. 
It may lure to peace, when there is no peace. It 
may be the starting-point whence an inquiring soul 
shall decline and wander till he stumbles into ruin. 
An influence for good, or for evil — for eternal good, 
or eternal evil, is liable to spring forth from a sin- 
gle discourse, and that according as its matter, its 
manner, and spirit may be. Amazing thought ! 
And what will be the caution — the carefulness per- 
vading the preacher in such circumstances ! Surely 
he will meditate circumspectly, and will preach 
thoughtfully. Like Luther, he will never ascend 
the pulpit without trembling. He will not be in 
haste to speak. His words will be deliberate, ma- 
ture, and acceptable ; — his thoughts, all weighty 
and evangelical ; — his spirit, all prayerful and holy ; 
— his manner, all chaste, simple, sincere, and pure. 
He will forever guard against every prejudicial re- 
sult;— -he will labour that every discourse, and 

* See Prof. Park's admirable Introductory Essay to his " Preacher ' 
and Pastor." 

1<T 



146 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

every word, shall give the upward and blessed in- 
fluence. He will, if possible, be a savour of life 
unto life. 



XVI. 

" Rightly dividing T — 2 Tim. ii, 15. 

The minister for the times preaches discriminat- 
ingly. Of course he will always recognize, in his 
preaching, the two great classes of hearers ; name- 
ly, the regenerate and the unregenerate. The broad 
line of distinction between these will always be held 
forth most clearly and distinctly ; yet in each of 
these he will discern more or less varieties of view, 
taste, ability, acquirements, temperament, and dis- 
position, and will address himself to the work of 
meeting, so far as possible, every class, and every 
individual case before him. Many slumberers will 
need the awakening terrors of God's law. Many, 
in their self-righteousness, will need to have por- 
trayed to them the "exceeding breadth" of the 
commandment. Many, in their inordinate love of 
the world, require to have presented, in vivid co- 
lours, to their eye this world's exceeding vanity. 
Many more, amid the influence of heartless skepti- 
cism, must be made to see that religion, pure and 
undefiled, is divine in its origin, and heavenly in its 
character, and completely salutary in its fruits. 
Many hard hearts must be subdued, melted, and 
made penitent by the proclamation of God's abound- 



FOR THE TIMES. 147 

ing goodness. The inquirer especially must be most 
carefully guided ; and the preaching he hears must 
be such as to lead him nowhere else but to Him 
who has said, " Come unto me." The babe in 
Christ must be fed with milk rather than with strong 
meat, which, as yet, he is not able to bear. The 
child of God, in the fire of affliction and trial, must 
be met with the heavenly consolations. He that is 
bowed down must be lifted up — the feeble-minded 
one must be comforted — the wavering must be con- 
firmed — the wanderer restored — the faithful en- 
couraged — the tempted assisted — the ignorant in- 
structed — and the whole company of saints is to 
be led on through every varied difficulty, and by 
strong and certain progress, toward the heavenly 
Canaan. Hence, the good minister dwells amid 
the treasure-house, bringing thence things new and 
old. He feeds the people with knowledge. He 
becomes all things to all, and labours to commend 
himself to every man's conscience in the sight of 
God. 



XVII. 

" They were not able to resist."— Acts vi, 10. 

The minister for the times preaches ably. That is, 
he presents in strong and vivid light the important 
subjects of his preaching. It is not meant that he 
necessarily be what is denominated a great preach- 
er ; — in other words, a preacher towering above 



148 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

most in the strength of intellect, in the power of 
logic, and in the compass of learning which he 
brings to bear upon the themes of his discourses. 
But the minister I am describing understands his 
subject. He has studied and digested it well. His 
views are clear and definite. His argumentation, 
though often brief, is yet strong and conclusive. 
His descriptions are comprehensive and fair. He 
illustrates pertinently, and with neither too much 
nor too little diffusiveness. The arrangement of his 
thoughts is just and natural. His style is divested 
of all unnecessary words and every needless digres- 
sion, and is direct and strong. In a word, he presents 
his subject with ability, and applies it judiciously. 
The sermon is not the production of a novice, but of 
a workman that has no need to be ashamed. He is an 
able minister of the ISTew Testament. He is a strong 
preacher. He preaches with a definite purpose, 
from which he removes not his eye. He touches 
nothing that will not help him to accomplish his 
design, and advances directly, earnestly, and bold- 
ly. He presents a clear and Scriptural exhibition. 
He makes out a strong case. As he speaks, his 
step is firm — his movement, regular — his end, truth 
and conviction ; and the end is generally attained. 
The preaching is in demonstration of the Spirit. 
He "mightily convinces." The hearers feel that 
an able hand has been laid upon them ; and whe- 
ther disposed to obey the truth or not, they readily 
acknowledge that he who has dispensed it needs 
not to be ashamed. 



FOR THE TIMES. . 149 

xvm. 

"Speaking the truth in love" — Eph. iv, 15. 

The minister for the times preaches in love. We 
have, in a former paragraph, noticed the affection- 
ateness of his general character ; and under no cir- 
cumstances is this feature more manifest than when 
he preaches the gospel. Deeply is his soul bap- 
tized with the spirit of love to the souls of men ; 
and while he preaches the truth, and preaches all 
the truth — while he is faithful as one that must 
give account, love is ever a prominent aspect of his 
discourse. It looks out through his candid and so- 
lemn eye. It sits upon every line of his counte- 
nance. It sounds forth in the intonations and mu- 
sic of his voice. It speaks in the evangelical style 
of his speech. It acts in the propriety of his ges- 
ture. It sparkles in the animated argument, and 
glows in every fervid exhortation, with which he 
persuades men to holiness and heaven. 

How can this be otherwise ? This minister is a 
saved man, and loves his neighbour as himself. A 
company of deathless spirits are before him, each 
one of whom will be saved or lost forever. He 
comes to them an "ambassador for Christ." He 
stands up before the congregation to put in opera- 
tion the very agency which Christ has designed for 
the salvation of the lost. With all his heart he 
would do the utmost good, and would omit no word, 



150 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

nor any effort, that might help to accomplish the 
great result. He proclaims the love of God to 
man. He speaks of boundless mercy — of the grace 
of Him who " so loved the world." He tells of a 
love that was stronger than death — a love that bled 
for the rebellious — a love that is infinite, and reaches 
for the eternal rescue of sinful spirits, and opens a 
world of glory and happiness to a race that, but 
for this love, had perished forever. Speaking, his 
soul enkindles with the divine flame. He warms 
and flashes with the spirit of the gospel he dis- 
penses. A child of God, and the love of God fill- 
ing all his soul, and the hope of glory pervading 
and ravishing his heart, the message which he brings 
to his fellow-men goes forth bathed in more than 
human tenderness and affection. Hanging over the 
sinner with the solemn warnings of revelation, there 
is no harshness — no impatience — no hoarse thun- 
derings. It is, rather, with the subdued accents 
of benevolence and love, uttered from the fulness 
of the soul, and wont to be accompanied "with 
tears." 



XIX. 

"Full of faith."— Acts vi, 5. 

The minister for the times preaches believingly. 
He firmly believes gospel preaching to be the hea- 
ven-appointed means for saving men. He believes 
this means to be rarely, if ever, used as it should 



FOR THE TIMES. 151 

be without success, either in one form or another. 
He doubts not that Christ is with the faithful min- 
ister always ; and in the great work of preaching, 
is with him specially. He preaches in full expec- 
tation. He remembers that the word of God is 
quick and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged 
sword. He is comforted and cheered with the idea 
that the excellency of the power is of God, and 
not of men ; and that, while Paul may plant and 
Apollos water, it is God who gives the increase. 
He forgets not that he is preaching the identical 
gospel that, in many generations, has been the power 
of God unto salvation to every believer. He has 
no trust whatever in any effort unaccompanied with 
the Spirit's influence ; but for that influence he ac- 
customs himself to look in blessed expectation. " I 
am with you," is the pledge he receives ; and go- 
ing forth weeping, bearing precious seed, he doubts 
not of returning again with rejoicing, bringing his 
sheaves with him. He believes God, and believing, 
he preaches ; and preaching, he believes. He deems 
it a settled question that the gospel of Christ, 
preached piously and faithfully, will never be in 
vain. It is a word that shall not return void ; but 
shall accomplish, either directly or indirectly, that 
whereto it is sent. All the result, and all the man- 
ner of it, he leaves to God. In this matter, as well 
as in his general character, he walks by faith, and 
not by sight. He is not too regardful of external 
circumstances and visible appearances ; and if, at 
times, all outward prosperity and progress may 



152 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

seem to be stayed, and the world and Satan appear 
to bear almost universal sway — though all without 
may look inauspicious and hostile, yet, amid every 
discouraging aspect, he still preaches believingly. 
He indulges no doubt of a blessed invisible work- 
ing, and, with unwearied diligence and confidence, 
he casts his bread upon the waters. 



XX. 

" With joyful lips!'— Psa. Ixiii, 5. 

The minister for the times preaches joyously. Be- 
hold in the pulpit a true minister of the Lord Jesus. 
He is there to glorify Christ in the full and faithful ' 
exhibition of his gospel. By that blessed gospel 
he is himself saved and renewed — is a child and 
heir of God, and a candidate for heavenly happi- 
ness. He is perpetually astonished at the mercy 
of God to himself personally. He is enraptured in 
view of the provisions of Christ for sinners lost. 
The scales have fallen from his eyes, and he con- 
templates more fully than many the mystery of the 
love of God. Hence, his wonder, love, humility, 
and joy are greater. Standing there, the Spirit's 
influences are upon him, animating, invigorating, 
and blessing him* In his believing vision, Christ is 
present to approve, to impress, and save. The 
theme on which he expatiates absorbs his being. 
His heart is full, and out of its abundance the mouth 



FOR THE TIMES. 15S 

speaks. His lips are glad, and his preaching is the 
music of salvation. The joy with which he utters 
the message of mercy to sinful men, is kindred to 
the joy of those immortals who, far up over the 
plains of Bethlehem, once chanted to the wonder- 
ing shepherds the song of glory, peace, and love. 
His " speech and preaching" are not of trifling mat- 
ters. Their constant drift is heavenward, and they 
kindle as they run. His words, coming, as they do, 
from the spiritual and rejoicing soul of the preach- 
er, flow forth to act with energy upon the hearers* 
hearts. When the minister is clothed with salva- 
tion, the saint sings aloud for joy ; while the sin- 
ner, falling down, confesses that God is in him of 
a truth. 



XXI. 

" An eloquent man? — Acts xviii, 24. 

The minister for the times preaches eloquently. 
His subject is eloquent, for it belongs to that class 
of themes the most important in the universe to 
man. His argument and discussion are eloquent, 
for they are such as most clearly and powerfully 
to exhibit the theme. The style is eloquent, for it 
has all the plainness, simplicity, vivacity, purity, 
and boldness which enter into an eloquent diction. 
His object is eloquent, for he would save a soul 
from death, and hide a multitude of sins. His 
thoughts and views are eloquent, for his mind 



154 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

reaches to glorify God rather than to please men. 
His hopes and expectations are eloquent, for he 
looks that eternal good will result from his sermon. 
His affections are eloquent, for his soul burns with 
perfect love to God and man. His whole spirit is 
eloquent, for it is pervaded and glowing with the 
sublimity of his theme. His gesture is eloquent, 
for it is the precise action that naturally and spon- 
taneously arises from his subject — his feeling — his 
end. His message comes down upon the congre- 
gation with almost irresistible conviction and power. 
With A polios, he is an eloquent man, and mighty 
in the Scriptures. With Stephen, he is full of the 
Holy Ghost, and men are not able to resist the 
spirit and wisdom with which he speaks. He 
preaches like Peter, when thousands were pricked 
to the heart. He preaches like Paul, when he de- 
clares of himself that his preaching was in demon- 
stration of the Spirit and of power. 



XXII. 

" Christ — in all" — Col. iii, 11. 

The minister for the times preaches evangelical 7y. 
Such preaching is well denned by a living writer 
as that " which presents Christ in everything, and 
everything in Christ. " The good preacher preaches 
after a gospel manner. While he aims to exhibit 
all important truth, he is careful not to present the 



FOR THE TIMES. 155 

truths of the gospel as insulated or apart from their 
real relations and affinities. He is not a mere 
preacher of the truth, but of Christian, gospel 
truth. He everywhere holds forth the connexion 
between the themes of revelation, and Him who is 
the way, the truth, and the life. He recognizes all 
genuine doctrines of piety and morality as emana- 
ting from the Light in whom is no darkness at all. 
He contemplates Christ as the great centre of reve- 
lation ; and the cross, the grand exponent of Jeho- 
vah's written mysteries. He, therefore, separates 
Christ, and him crucified, from no part of Ins preach- 
ing. In the great field of the Bible, he finds Christ 
"in the beginning." He hears of Him in the fall, 
and discerns Him everywhere, to the final closing 
up of God's revealings to man. He was the bow 
of promise amid the gathered gloom of Eden. He 
was the "excellence" of Abel's offering. Enoch, 
Noah, and Abraham saw Him, though " afar off/' 
Jacob, with his dying breath, announced His com- 
ing. Moses preferred even His reproaches to great 
riches. Job saw his Redeemer. David sung of 
Him. Every prophetic finger designated Him. 
Every ancient victim foreshadowed Him. Every 
apostolic voice proclaimed Him " all, and in all," — 
the Alpha and Omega, — the beginning and ending, 
— the first and the last. So is He recognized in 
the preaching for these times. In such preaching, 
the doctrines presented are all bathed with His 
heavenly spirit, and brilliant with His celestial glo- 
ry, and perfumed with His holy savour, and sane- 



156 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

tioned by His high authority. In the preacher's 
lips they are, in a sense, Christ himself. So for 
Paul to live was Christ; and his preaching knew 
not anything save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. 
All the manner, too, as well as the matter, is, as it 
were, Christ himself ; for the minister is an ambas- 
sador for Christ, as though God besought the peo- 
ple by him ; and he prays them, in Christ's stead, 
to become reconciled to God. " Christ liveth in " 
the evangelical minister. He is formed within him 
the hope of glory. So also does he dwell in Christ, 
as the branch in the vine. He has His spirit — His 
mind — His nature and likeness ; and hence, what- 
ever he preaches — however varied may be his modes 
of discourse — from whatever portion of the Scrip- 
tures his theme be selected, he " cannot but speak " 
and preach Christ to the multitude. He is Christ's 
representative — Christ's image before men. He 
lives to Him who died for him and rose again. 
Christ is forever with him. Christ is the burden 
of his spirit and his song — the blessed atmosphere 
which he never ceases to inhale. All that flows 
from his lips has the divine quality — the heavenly 
colouring. He gives thanks to God continually, 
who always causes him to triumph in Christ, and 
makes manifest the savour of His knowledge by 
him in every place. For he is not as many which 
corrupt the word of God, but as of sincerity — but 
as of God, in the sight of God, speaks he in Christ. 



FOR THE TIMES. 157 



XXIII. 

" The preacher sought to find out acceptable words!' 

Eccles. xii, 10. 

The minister for the times preaches acceptably. 
Must it not be so if, as we have seen, he echoes 
the inspired voices ? And to be acceptable is, with 
him, a matter of serious moment. To be pleasing, 
so far as is consistent with faithfulness, he deems a 
most sacred obligation, in order that he may com- 
mend the gospel, and win souls for heaven. Hence, 
he avoids all low and mean expressions, and all 
vulgar and unbecoming illustrations. On the other 
hand, he eschews all bombast in style, and all os- 
tentation in manner, and all eccentricity in matter. 
So, likewise, he refrains from all lightness, and all 
harshness of spirit ; and every look, and tone, and 
act, such as are calculated to excite disgust or dis- 
pleasure. His manner is modest, serious, respect- 
ful, dignified, and, in all respects, decorous. He 
preaches the truth with simplicity and ability. He 
labours, with the wise man, to " find out accepta- 
ble words," — such as are pleasing, and easily un- 
derstood. His voice and elocution he has culti- 
vated, so as to be able to announce, with facility 
and beauty, the sentiments and feelings of his heart. 
He speaks not too loud, on the one hand, nor too 
low, on the other. He is heard with distinctness 
and pleasure in every part of the audience. His 



158 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

words are fitly spoken, and are like apples of gold 
in pictures of silver. They attract the attention 
and gratify the taste — as well as instruct the mind 
and improve the heart. He never gives needless 
offence. Even those of different views with him- 
self can take no umbrage at his manner of preach- 
ing ; while, rather, the comely and welcome garb 
in which he clothes his thoughts, fails not to ensure 
for them a more respectful notice from dissenting 
minds. In his preaching he is cautious of extremes, 
that he may be a stumbling-block to as few as pos- 
sible. The spirit of innocent accommodation is a 
prominent trait in his preaching. If he may, he 
will please all men in all things ; not seeking his 
own profit, but the profit of many, that they may 
be saved. Thus he is always acceptable. An open , 
door is before him. The common people hear him 
gladly, while the more intellectual and elevated 
welcome the wisdom of his lips. 



XXIV. 

" With the Holy Ghostr—l Pet. i, 12. 

The minister for the times preaches with the Holy 
Ghost. Be it remembered that the Holy Ghost has 
called him to this very work — prompted him to se- 
cure, by every appropriate means, the requisite 
qualifications.- — has renewed and sanctified his heart 



FOR THE TIMES. 159 

— dwells in him by constant and blessed inhabita- 
tion — and producing in him all pure and lovely fruits, 
has led him far amid the sublime walks of Scrip- 
ture knowledge, and given him clear views, and 
definite and strong impressions, of the things of 
God — has enchanted his soul with the heavenly 
mysteries — has hidden the transient glory of this 
world from his mind and affections — has brought 
heaven near, and granted ravishing glimpses of un- 
utterable things and of approaching glory — has 
helped him to see more clearly than most the worth 
of the soul, and begotten within him a love for the 
soul which floods may not drown. He is a man 
full of the Holy Ghost. In preaching, he preaches 
what the Holy Ghost teacheth, and with the spirit 
and manner which the Holy Ghost dictates and in- 
spires. The Spirit has led him in the selection of 
his theme — assisted him in shaping and maturing 
it; and then, in the pulpit, mightily helps him in 
proclaiming and enforcing it. The power of the 
Holy Ghost, so to speak, passes, in the shape of 
the word, to the hearer's heart ; so that the word 
itself is " spirit and life " to the minds of the mul- 
titude. It flows not forth as a mere human per- 
suasion, but flies with divine authority ; — it goes 
with a heavenly unction ; — it comes to the door of 
the soul with unearthly knocking ; — it is a hammer, 
and the hand that grasps it is almighty ; — it is a 
voice sounding forth as from the depths of eterni- 
ty ; — it is that preaching which is, with the Holy 
Ghost, sent down from heaven ; — it is that opera- 



160 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

tion with which Jehovah himself works ; — it is the 
preaching of a man in whose ear speaks the Lord 
of glory, saying, " I am with you always." 



XXV. 

" Bringing his sheaves" — Psa. cxxvi, 6. 

The minister for the times preaches successfully. 
Certainly so, if God works with him ; and the ex- 
ceeding great and precious promises render success 
a settled question with respect to every true minis- 
ter of the Lord Jesus. A portion of his success — 
perhaps most of it — his eye of sense will not see. 
Often, as he labours, he must " quietly wait." He 
is a husbandman that hath long patience, and walks 
by faith, rather than by sight. He knows that suc- 
cess, in one or another lovely form, and visible or 
invisible, is certain. He extends the gospel net, 
and catches men. He turns the hearts of men to 
the Lord their God. He teaches transgressors the 
ways of God, and sinners are converted. He is a 
good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith, 
and much people are added unto the Lord. He so 
speaks that multitudes, greater or less, believe. 
He preaches, and the Holy Ghost falls on them 
that hear the word. He is not weary in well do- 
ing — in preaching well — and he reaps in due season. 
He sows bountifully, and his harvest is correspond- 
ent. He receives his wages, and gathers fruit to 



FOR THE TIMES. 161 

life eternal. He is always abounding in the work 
of the Lord, and his labour is not in vain in the 
Lord. He goes forth weeping ; but he sows, and 
the seed is precious, and he returns with rejoicing, 
bringing his sheaves with him. His preaching is 
ofttimes denominated " foolishness ;" yet by just 
such foolishness it pleases God to save them that 
believe. He perseveringly takes heed to himself 
and to the doctrine, and thus saves himself and his 
hearers. Earthly fame may be missing, yet a " joy 
and crown" are his — even the dearly beloved and 
longed for, whom he has begotten in the gospel. 
He is a wise man, and he winneth souls. When 
death comes, he has fought a good fight ; and, ris- 
ing to meet God, he sings with heavenly humility 
and praise, " Behold ! I, and the children thou hast 
given me." The response, " Well done, good and 
faithful," greets his glad ear ; and he takes his place 
among those who, on earth, turned many to right- 
eousness, and shines, henceforth, as the stars, for- 
ever and ever. 

11 



|3art -tfourti). 



THE MINISTER FOR THE TIMES 

AS A PASTOR. 



THE MINISTER OF CHRIST FOR THE TIMES. 



PART IV. 



" I will give you pastors." — Jer. iii, 15. 

The minister for the times is a Pastor. In other 
words, he " takes heed to the flock over the which 
the Holy Ghost has made him an overseer." The 
preaching of the gospel is, indeed, the great means 
of converting and saving men ; while yet the Scrip- 
tures plainly and strongly connect with this work 
— subsidiary to it — and, as it were, indispensable 
to its appropriate result, — what is termed, in dis- 
tinction from preaching, pastoral efforts and la- 
bours. Preaching saves men ; but it must be gen- 
uine preaching — enlightened, suitable, well-adapted 
preaching, — if this great object shall be fully accom- 
plished ; and such preaching ordinarily exists only 
in unison with pastoral watchfulness and wisdom. 
Hence it is that the pastoral ministry is an essential 
department of the sacred office ; and hence, too, 
when there is deficiency in this department, the la- 
bours of the pulpit, though otherwise able and ac- 
ceptable, are of comparatively little effect. Happy 



166 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

for the Church and the world, were this great truth 
engraven upon the heart of every gospel minister 
upon earth ! The idea is still far too prevalent, that 
a minister's great duty, for the most part, goes out 
in public preaching. An error this, as insidious 
and plausible, as it is unscriptural and fatal ; and 
is the more prevalent, as it tallies so well with the 
worldliness and sloth which, we must fear, tinge 
too much the character of some who wait at the 
altar. 

Preaching! What is preaching to a congrega- 
tion ? Is it the mere repetition of the general prin- 
ciples of Christianity — such as we quote from books, 
and gather in the cloister ? Is it the mere doling 
out of theology and ethics ? Is it the dissertation 
of a student — the babbling of a recluse ? Gk>d for- 
bid ! This amounts not to preaching ; and he who 
has exercised himself thus, and wondered at his 
barrenness, must, henceforth, wonder no more. He 
fails to preach — fails well-nigh as disastrously as 
he who mounts the pulpit without thought or ar- 
rangement, and pours out a mere broken and ghast- 
ly mass of declamation and vociferation. Thou 
wilt not preach to that congregation without prepa- 
ration ; and an essential part of a perfect prepara- 
tion must be thy deep and familiar acquaintance 
with the religious circumstances of the people be- 
fore thee. 

The pastoral department supplies some of the 
essential elements of the effective and successful 
sermon. It imparts to the public preaching an in- 



FOR THE TIMES. 167 

dispensable knowledge — breathes into it an indis- 
pensable spirit and warmth — inspires it with an 
indispensable sympathy — dictates an indispensable 
style — and points out the indispensable application. 
Mark if such be not the Scripture view of this most 
important subject. The good minister, for exam- 
ple, is to give to each a portion in due season. But 
how can he do this, except either by miracle, or by 
ascertaining, through pastoral diligence, what the 
exact " portion " is ? Again, what is this " watch- 
ing for souls as they that must give account ?" Is 
such momentous watching fulfilled in a mere ser- 
mon begotten and reared up in solitude, and with 
no more adaptation to those particular " souls " 
than to any others whom the minister is not ap- 
pointed to watch, and for whose salvation he is not 
so specially accountable ? Yet again ; what is this 
"taking heed to the flock," which the apostle, in 
imagery so significant as well as beautiful, enjoins 
upon the ministers of Ephesus ? Is all this poetry 
a mere " song," or means he not, rather, that those 
elders were to exercise a constant, minute, and im- 
partial care over their respective charges, corre- 
spondent to that of a "good shepherd?" Once 
more ; what of the example of the apostle, who 
himself appears, for a time, to have acted the pas- 
tor at Ephesus ? He teaches publicly, of course, 
" and from house to house ;" and for three years 
ceases not to warn every one, night and day, with 
tears. How was this? Was all this effort in the 
shape of pulpit sermons ? or was it not by public 



168 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

discourses and by personal addresses combined— 
the two modes reciprocally and mightily aiding 
each the other ? Went not these two apostolic 
influences hand in hand, just as previously, when 
daily, in the temple and in every house, Peter and 
John ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ ? 
This is a plain matter. What God hath joined to- 
gether, let not man put asunder. We may not 
mend the ways and works of God, nor be wise 
above what he has written. The apostolic minister 
of old was a pastor. The minister for these times 
is equally a pastor. No other is suitable. No 
other will, in general, be of great use. The age 
requires not mere hirelings — not those who, while 
they preach on Sabbaths, are yet remiss and neg- 
lectful at other seasons. The times demand of a 
minister that he " care for souls " — that he be in- 
stant at all seasons — that he spare no pains, whe- 
ther in the pulpit or out of it — warning every man, 
and teaching every man, that he may present eveiy 
one perfect in Christ Jesus. 






n. 

a I know my sheep." — Johnx, 14. 

The minister for the times is an intelligent pastor. 
He knows his flock. He has a personal acquaint- 
ance with each one of them, and a knowledge of 
their places of residence. He forms an acquaint- 



FOR THE TIMES. 169 

ance not only with the parents, but with the youth, 
the children, and the domestics ; and keeps a care- 
ful list of those who habitually attend upon his 
ministry. He acquaints himself, so far as may be, 
with the religious state of each person. The clas- 
sification of his charge is duly made out. He knows 
who are joyful in God, and who are walking be- 
neath clouds ; — who are strong, and who weak ; — 
who are faithful, and who remiss ; — who are pro- 
gressing, and who retrograding, or apparently sta- 
tionary ; — who are full grown, and who are babes ; 
— who are intelligent, and who are ignorant and 
need instruction ; — who are harassed by temptation 
— who are bowed down — who are erring, whether 
in theory or in practice — who are specially exposed 
to the wiles of the destroyer — and what minds are 
labouring: under difficulties with one or more of 
their brethren, as well as what such difficulties are. 
He knows, also, who are serious or inquiring — who 
are despairing — who are careless and reckless — 
who are opposed — who are skeptical — and who are 
candid. He knows who are poor, and whether 
there is any special destitution, and what can be 
done in the way of alleviation. He knows who are 
sick, and the state and prospects of their sickness, 
and what efforts he should put forth for their bene- 
fit, whether in body or in soul. He is acquainted, 
further, with the financial condition of his charge — * 
what has been done for its improvement, and what 
still remains to be done ; and, in general, the good 
minister knows all about his people that he ought 



170 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

to know. "I know my sheep," saitli the chief 
Pastor ; and herein is He imitated, so far as possi- 
ble, by all his subordinate and true shepherds. 



III. 

" From house to house" — Acts xx, 20. 

The minister for the times is a circulating pastor. 
He goes from house to house, like his apostolic ex- 
emplars. His study is not his home merely ; — his 
home, rather, is everywhere within his parish or 
charge. He is in motion. He is here or there, in 
accordance with his regular system of visitation, or 
as special exigencies may require. Within the pre- 
cincts of his charge, he is in " every house ;" — not 
merely those convenient of access, but those, too, 
that are most remote. Nor yet, in his travels, will 
he confine himself always to those families and per- 
sons that wait on his ministry ; but he will call up- 
on any others to whom he may be useful. He will 
inquire out those who have no stated place of church 
attendance, and lead them, if he may, to the house 
of God. He goes out, in his pastoral circuits, into 
the highways and hedges, and compels them to 
come in, that the house of God may be filled. 

Then, as he circulates, it is as a minister and pas- 
tor. He converses — inquires — instructs — encou- 
rages — and warns. Nor does he circulate merely 
for the purpose of personal intercourse. He in- 



FOR THE TIMES. 171 

eludes neighbourhood preaching and lecturing, 
wherever it is practicable. He has his stated ap- 
pointments between the Sabbaths in different points, 
and more or less remote from the place of public 
worship, in order that he may reach some who 
would not otherwise hear and be saved. 

Thus the good minister is a moving man. He 
is out, gathering up the sheep scattered upon the 
mountains. He stays not at home to stagnate and 
faint. He is abroad in all directions. He goes 
everywhere, preaching the word. If these be per- 
ilous times, when false teachers abound, creeping 
into houses, leading captive the inmates into error 
and sin, then he who is the minister and pastor for 
the times will follow these men of corrupt minds, 
and withstand them, and make manifest their folly. 



IV. 

" — Went over all — in order." — Acts xviii, 23. 

The minister for the times is a systematic pastor. 
While he goes abroad and circulates among his 
people, it is not at random, and wherever mere 
whim or inclination may lead him. He goes sys- 
tematically about this great work. He adopts and 
pursues a regular plan of procedure. Going from 
house to house, he advances in an orderly progress 
—thus being certain of omitting none, and, so far 
as his pastoral ministry is concerned, being sure of 



172 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

giving to each his portion in due season. Thus he 
passes regularly throughout his charge — forgetting 
not, at the same time, to give more than ordinary 
attention to the sick and dying, the anxious and the 
convert, as well as to other cases that require ex- 
traordinary attention. His system leads him to 
attend to all regularly, and to attend to all special 
cases specially. Then, as he proceeds, he keeps a 
careful register of his visits, and of whatever occurs 
in the course of his pastoral work that is important 
or remarkable. His system, unless prevented by 
peculiar circumstances, the good pastor prosecutes 
with constancy. He has his regular days of the 
week, and the set hours in those days, in which to 
go out on his pastoral excursions ; while all his la- 
bours in this department of his ministry are reduced , 
to as much system and regularity as are admissible. 
He aims that all things be done decently, and in 
order, and thus what he performs is done much 
more perfectly, and to better purpose ; while, at 
the same time, a vastly greater amount of business 
is accomplished than if system and order were neg- 
lected. He is punctual to all his engagements. 
He does his work in its allotted time, and is ready 
to meet and fulfil each duty as its hour arrives. 






FOE THE TIMES, 173 



" Give thyself wholly? — 1 Tim. iv, 15. 

The minister for the times is a consecrated pastor, 
His systematic movements greatly aid his diligence. 
When a minister has an established time for a given 
work, such an arrangement will, of itself, exert a 
positive tendency to activity for the punctual per- 
formance of such work. Hence, the systematic 
man, in any department of effort, is likely to be a 
diligent and active man. The good pastor is dili- 
gent in his work. His general character for indus- 
try, of which we have before written, is as appa- 
rent in his pastorship as in any other branch of his 
operations. He is diligent to ascertain what needs 
to be done. He studies actively all the wants of 
his flock ; and, as the good shepherd that " careth 
for the sheep/' he employs himself incessantly to 
provide what may be lacking, and whatever may 
be needed. To his momentous work as preacher 
and pastor, he devotes all his energies. He leaves 
not the word of God to serve any other interest, 
but gives himself wholly to prayer and the ministry 
of the word ; and that, too, privately as well as 
publicly. He determines to know nothing else ; — 
he continues in these things, and gives himself 
wholly to them. Every hour, and every moment, 
is felt to be precious with the man who lives to 
glorify God in the salvation of souls. Whatever 



174 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

his hands find to do, he does it with his might. He 
is not slothful in business — he is fervent in spirit- 
serving the Lord. He gives all diligence, that he 
may make sure not only his own election, but that 
of his people. He works as a man that must give 
account ; and as, in the great day, he will wish to 
have left no means untouched tending toward the 
salvation of men, so he duly exercises himself, with 
all diligence and fidelity, to bring every one to the 
obedience of Christ. 



VI. 

"Be vigilant" — 1 Pet. v, 8. 

The minister for the times is a vigilant pastor. We 
can conceive of a shepherd whose mind, for a little 
space, might be otherwise occupied than with the 
care of the flock beneath his charge ; — that, while 
they might be grazing upon the hill-sides, or some 
of them wandering at a distance, the keeper might 
be asleep within some refreshing bower, or passing 
an hour away with some neighbouring shepherd in 
pleasant converse, or else reclining upon his crook, 
lost in some delicious revery, or waking his harp 
to strains of soul-subduing music. We can imagine 
how possible, meanwhile, that some beast of prey 
fall upon a distant, thoughtless lamb, and devour 
him, while yet the bloody work be undiscovered 
until too late ; when that same lamb should have 



FOR THE TIMES. 175 

escaped unharmed had he not, for the moment, 
been forgotten by his keeper. 

Even so in the heavenly pastorship. Alas ! how 
many a loved and promising one has been ensnared 
and overcome by the great devourer ! O ! how 
many a fond hope has faded forever, and rivers of 
tears have fallen upon the ruins of the " loved and 
lost ! Might some watchful shepherd's eye have 
followed these — some soft hand been laid upon 
them — some voice, authoritative and lovely, have 
whispered warning— some friendly finger pointed 
to a safer path — then the feet of many had not slid, 
but should have trod joyously along the way of 
immortality. 

How watchful, then, is the good pastor ! With 
what incessant care and longing yearns his soul over 
the people of his ministry ! How often does he 
review each beloved name ! and how eagerly and 
closely does he study the safety and welfare of all 
of those for whom, in a solemn sense, he must give 
account ! " Watch and remember," is the aposto- 
lic charge breathing into his ear from morning to 
evening, and evermore. " Take heed to the flock," 
is the great injunction, from which he never re- 
moves his eye. He stands upon the walls that en- 
compass the fold of the redeemed ones. His eye 
runs to and fro to detect the presence or the ap- 
proach of any and every enemy. He watches the 
wants of the flock of Christ, and labours to bring 
the needed supply. He spies the danger, and 
sounds the needed alarm. Seeing the wolf coming, 



176 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

he resists him, for he careth for the flock. He is 
ever engaged in fortifying the city of God. His 
watchful care is interested in whatever helps to ad- 
vance the salvation of the people. His eye is out, 
watching, with interest profound, all the movements 
and workings of Providence. He is inquiring where 
God leads, and walks closely after the divine hand. 
When God speaks, his servant will not fail to rei- 
terate the voice, and deepen, if he may, the sacred 
impression. When God is moving, whether near 
by, or abroad among the nations, this sentinel will 
be the first to listen to those chariot wheels, and 
sound the note of warning to the rebellious, or of 
consolation to the pious. He ponders deeply the 
awful voice of prophecy, and labours to lift up the 
minds of men to its momentous realizations. He ' 
is a watchman, and his responsibility is deep and 
solemn ; and he hastens to be faithful, that no one's 
blood shall be required at his hands. 



Vll. 

" Neither as being lords over God's heritage."'-'! Pet. v, 3. 

The minister for the times is a lowly pastor. Though 
holding the important relation of overseer of the 
flock of Christ, and appointed to be one of the spe- 
cial rulers over the Church of God, he takes the 
oversight thereof in the absence of all pride — all 
pompous display of dignity or power — all ideas of 



FOR THE TIMES. 177 

superiority over the members of Christ's kingdom. 
He remembers that a minister is the servant of the 
Church, and not the Church servants to himself; 
for even Christ came not to be ministered unto, but 
to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. 
How much more, then, should the subordinate pas- 
tor walk lowly before God, and as he goes in and 
out among his people. Honourable, it is true, 
greatly honourable, are his station and service. He 
waits upon the children of the Highest. He is a 
servant of the mysteries of redemption. He stands, 
in an affecting sense, instead of the Chief Shepherd ; 
and, at His appearance, the reward of His faithful 
servant shall be great. Still, he is among the low- 
liest of men. All Christ's followers, of whatever 
tongue or fold, he counts to be better than himself. 
He " lords " it not ;— he washes the saints' feet ; — 
he gladly yields himself to any becoming service. 
He runs to wait upon the weakest one. The most 
insignificant are, in his eye, of sufficient consequence 
to command his utmost efforts for their welfare. 
He makes himself a servant to all, that he may gain 
the more. Every act of intercourse with the peo- 
ple of his charge bespeaks his lowliness. All his 
pastoral cautions and warnings — all his untiring 
diligence — every disciplinary act — all are marked 
with the same unassuming, unaspiring, humble as- 
pect. He glories not, save in the cross of the Lord 
Jesus Christ. Like the great Shepherd of the 
sheep, he is meek and lowly in heart. The dis- 
tinction which he covets is, that he may bring great 
12 



178 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

glory to the God he loves, and for whom he gladly 
suffers the loss of all things. 



VIII. 

"Keep sound wisdom and discretion" — Prov. iii, 21. 

The minister for the times is a discreet pastor. Not 
only does he wish to do no harm, but he studies 
diligently, that he may in no way bring injury to 
any person, or to the heavenly cause that lies near- 
est to his heart. It is one of the subjects of his 
daily and earnest prayers to God that he may walk 
worthily of the Lord, unto all pleasing, and adorn 
the doctrine of God his Saviour in all things. Dis- . 
creet in whatever pertains to his person and spirit, 
he also guides with discretion his family affairs, so 
that all his domestic arrangements may be becom- 
ing, pure, and exemplary, and such as to promote 
godliness and order among the people. He moves 
discreetly in all his pastoral visitations, ever aiming 
to comport himself so as, at the same time, to hon- 
our Christ, and render the repetition of his visits 
and conversations desirable. Adapting himself, so 
far as proper and practicable, to the various classes 
under his watch-care, he commends himself to them 
as a judicious, friendly, as well as godly pastor. 
Passing hither and thither, he utters none of those 
words that "eat as doth a canker." He forbears 
to participate in any conversation that tends to mis- 



FOR THE TIMES. 179 

chief; while the promotion of peace, forbearance, 
charity, and piety, is the drift of all his communi- 
cations. He lays aside contention ere it be med- 
dled with. He hushes to peace every rising dis- 
turbance between families and neighbours, and 
quenches, if he may, the kindling flame. 



IX. 

" — Understanding in all things!' — 2 Tim. ii, 7. 

The minister for the times is a skilful pastor. His 
ardent and quenchless love for the souls of men 
and for the glory of God, seems naturally to gene- 
rate the skill and wisdom appropriate to the pasto- 
ral office. Thus, the true minister is skilful in all 
the departments of his work. He is skilful in the 
formation and execution of. various benevolent plans 
for advancing the Redeemer's cause. He knows 
how to bring out into action the talents and gifts 
of his church-members, and to direct their energies 
to the promotion of religion. He is wise to prevent 
stagnation, and consequent backsliding, among those 
professing the name of Christ. He is skilful to 
win and encourage them to duty, and has studied 
carefully the means adapted to such an end. While, 
as before written, he is intelligent as to the indivi- 
duals of his church and congregation, and acquaint- 
ed with the diversities of their mental and religious 
condition ; so also is he competent to meet each case 



180 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

with the appropriate influences, and adapt himself 
to each varying exigency. He is not only dis- 
posed, but capable also, to become all things to 
all men for the accomplishment of the great pur- 
pose of his ministry. He possesses a capacity to 
meet error and refute it. He knows how to ap- 
proach the indifferent, and those who are opposed, 
and weaken their opposition and blunt their preju- 
dices. He knows how to bear himself so as never 
needlessly to provoke enmity or ill-will. He can 
give the soft answer that turneth away wrath. He 
can stop the mouth of the gainsayer. He can 
confirm the doubting — he can encourage the de- 
sponding. He is a wise builder — a skilful work- 
man in the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ. 
While in labours more abundant, these labours are 
appropriate and holy, and at the same time well 
calculated to subserve the best interests of pure- 
religion, 



X. 

" With all long-suffering."— 2 Tim. iv, 2. 

The minister for the times is a long-suffering pas- 
tor. The grace of forbearance and long-suffering 
is altogether indispensable to the good pastor in 
every age ; and it is one of the secrets of his influ- 
ence and success that he is " not soon angry." He, 
in fact, makes up his mind to " endure all things." 
His position is, in some respects, kindred to that of 



FOR THE TIMES. 181 

Moses leading God's people along the wilderness. 
Like the congregation of old, the pastor finds va- 
rious classes and descriptions among the people of 
his charge. There are Calebs and Joshuas — those 
that are valiant for the Lord ; yet the proportion 
of these, as formerly, is too often painfully small : 
while numbers are fearful and distrustful, and some 
are murmurers and disturbers in Israel. In walk- 
ing before such a people, how careful is the good 
and faithful minister of Jesus Christ ! What self- 
possession, and self-control, and power of endu- 
rance, will he every day and everywhere evince ! 
He believes, and therefore does not make haste. 
Unpleasant rumours reach his ears, while yet he 
possesses his soul in patience. Perhaps insulted 
and abused amid his faithfulness, he represses, at 
the moment, all anger and wrath, and answers not 
again. Using his strongest and best endeavours to 
benefit and please the people, and meeting, in re- 
turn, their ingratitude and indifference, he submits 
his cause to Him that judgeth righteously, and 
murmurs not. And when his fairest, fondest hopes 
are sometimes blasted ; and when the enemy comes 
in like a flood, and the beautiful vineyard seems, 
for a time, trodden down and laid waste ; and when 
friends are few, and opposers and scoffers are mul- 
tiplied, — the good pastor still endures, as seeing Him 
who is invisible. Being reviled, he blesses — being 
persecuted, he suffers it — being defamed, he en- 
treats — submitting, if necessary, to be made as the 
filth and offscouring of all things. 



182 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

XI. 

" All things to all!' — 1 Cor. ix, 22. 

The minister for the times is an accommodating 
pastor. He has laid aside all haughtiness — all no- 
tions of independence such as would interfere with 
the welfare of his flock — all unyielding and eccen- 
tric roughness of character and manners. He, in a 
most important sense, lives for others rather than 
for himself. Selfishness is dispensed with, and he 
is laid upon the altar of sacrifice. He yields to 
everything innocent and proper for the good of his 
people. He respects even their prejudices and 
whims, and thinks it not beneath him or his office 
to meet even these with a spirit of accommodation. 
He will deny himself, rather than be a stumbling- 
block to them. If all things are lawful to him, yet, 
if they be inexpedient, he will forbear to indulge 
himself. If eating meat, under certain circum- 
stances, will offend his brother, he will not thus eat 
while the world standeth, that he may avoid such 
offence. His business is not personal gratification, 
but to bring all possible to his Saviour's feet. It 
matters little with him what may be his present 
sufferings, if he may but compass the object dearer 
to his heart than all others in this world of sin. 
He endures all things for the elect's sakes, that they 
may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ 
Jesus with eternal glory. No sinless sacrifice is 



FOR THE TIMES. 183 

too great in the eye of this pastor, if it may essen- 
tially aid the everlasting salvation of a soul. He 
will gladly close up the most attractive volume, and 
suspend the most interesting study, if such an in- 
terruption is for the spiritual benefit of the poorest, 
most neglected one. He accommodates himself to 
persons, whether they be Jews or Greeks — wise or 
unwise. He accommodates himself to conditions, 
and knows how to abound, and how to suffer need 
— how to be abased, and how to be honoured. He 
gives no offence, that the ministry be not blamed ; 
but in all things approving himself as the minister 
of God in all circumstances, and with all suitable 
qualifications. 



XII. 

" Repi'ove, rebuke, exhort? — 2 Tim. iv, 2. 

The minister for the times is a disciplinary pastor. 
Being placed as a ruler in the Church of God, he 
looks and labours that all beneath his charge walk 
worthy of their high vocation. He has studied 
thoroughly the Scriptural principles given for the 
regulation and government of a church, as well as 
the manner and spirit with which they are to be 
applied ; and has sought diligently how he ought 
to behave himself in the house of God. We have 
seen that he lords it not over God's heritage. He 
is lowly, and meek, and long-suffering, and kind. 
As a ruler, he is no striker, but gentle toward all 



184 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

men. He makes use of discipline, not for inflicting 
wounds in Christ's body, but for binding up such 
as may exist ; — not for the destruction of the err- 
ing, but for their recovery and salvation ; — not that 
what is lame may be turned out of the way, but 
rather that it may be healed. An overseer, he 
takes the oversight — not by constraint, or from sor- 
did motives, but with a willing and ready mind ; 
and rules not in haughtiness . or severity, but rather 
by being an example to the flock. Forgetting all 
ideas of superiority or precedence, he labours that 
himself and people may, in spirit, all be subject one 
to another, and be clothed with humility. With 
all the wisdom of a pious and intelligent father in 
his family, does he aim to take care of the Church 
of God. When discipline is needed, it is adminis- 
tered promptly, yet always with due regard to age, 
station, intelligence, and influence, and always with 
the Spirit of Christ. If "offences come," — and 
come they will, — and moral and Christian charac- 
ter is forfeited, the good pastor moves mildly and 
prayerfully, but decidedly. The old leaven of 
wickedness must not be retained, lest the whole be 
leavened, and the world be scandalized ; and, hence, 
the " wicked person " is put away. Yet is he put 
away not without tears, entreaties, and prayers for 
his repentance and forgiveness. 

At the same time, it is the good pastor's constant 
endeavour to forestall the necessity of extreme dis- 
cipline. He is sober and vigilant, as well for his 
people as for himself, knowing that the adversary 



FOR THE TIMES. 185 

is abroad, seeking whom he may devour. If here 
and there is one peculiarly exposed, or partially 
fallen or declining, he reproves, rebukes, exhorts, 
with all long-suffering and doctrine ; while, so long 
as hope remains, he never relinquishes his labour 
to lead back the wanderer to the great Shepherd 
and Bishop. 



XIII. 

"Love thy neighbour as thyself." — Matt. xxii. 3P 

The minister for the times is a benevolent pastor, 
The spirit with which he moves among the people 
presents a strong contrast with that which actuates 
worldly men. He carries with him a heart over- 
flowing with good-will toward every one he meets, 
and toward the world. His soul looks not upon 
men through eyes of party, of prejudice, or bigo- 
try. Rather does he contemplate them as his fel- 
lows — bone of his bone, and flesh of his flesh — in- 
heriting a common character with himself, a com- 
mon salvation made accessible, and a common eter- 
nity. His view of men seems kindred to that of 
Jesus. Their fall — their recovery — these are the 
aspects that fill his eye ; so that slighter views and 
subordinate circumstances sink away from his vision. 
He loves men as men — loves them because they are 
men — because they are beings for whom Christ 
died, and who may participate in a glorious immor- 
tality. 



186 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

It is with a spirit such as this that the good pas- 
tor goes from house to house— and smiles upon 
those he meets — and talks of heavenly things — 
and blesses the children — and comforts the mourn- 
er — and calls back the wanderer — and instructs the 
ignorant — and springs, with mighty impulse, to 
every good work. He is no hireling — no time- 
server — no speculator — no wolf. He is a heavenly 
flame ; — he is Christ's representative ; — he breathes 
perpetual good-will ; — he goes about doing good ; 
— he is searching for eternal happiness, not for him- 
self only, but for the multitude ; and rejoices at 
the welfare of another, as when a man finds great 
spoil. 



XIV. 

"Be courteous." — 1 Pet. iii, 8. 

The minister for the times is a courteous pastor. 
The benevolence of which we have just written is 
formed by the hand of cultivation into all beautiful 
and winning shapes. All his movements are as 
graceful as they are benevolent and kind. He es- 
chews all awkwardness — all obtrusiveness — all in- 
decent haste — all roughness of speech and man- 
ners. He wears an open, respectful, and gracious 
countenance. The law of kindness is ever upon 
his lips. He converses with equal dignity, simpli- 
city, and propriety. He listens with careful atten- 
tion when another speaks, and regards, with proper 



FOR THE TIMES. 187 

attention, all that is said. His general appearance 
and habits are, if possible, such as to offend no one ; 
but rather what are calculated to ensure the appro- 
bation, and attract the respect and affections of his 
people and of the public. He is, in all respects 
and in all circumstances, a true Christian gentle- 
man. Nor does he for once lay aside this character 
in whatever duty or exigency of his pastorship. 
Does he instruct ? It is not with haughtiness, and 
so as to convey to those instructed a painful sense 
of their inferiority. Does he reprove ? ft is not 
with the scorpion's sting, but with the lip of kind- 
ness, such as wins back the erring to the paths of 
righteousness. Must he inflict sorrow? It is al- 
ways with reluctance, and with an unwavering eye 
to the good of the sufferer. Does he " warn every 
one?" It is not with the countenance and tones 
of a task-master, but with the gentleness of the 
lamb. Does he enter one and another house ? 
All his conduct there, to the last word he utters as 
he gives his blessing at departing, bespeaks him a 
well-bred man. Do others enter his own doors ? 
His smiling countenance — his unfeigned pleasure 
and good- will — his hearty welcome — his kind at- 
tentions — his gentlemanly bearing and polished 
manners — all evince the genuine scholar in the 
lovely and heavenly principles of religion undefiled. 
Thus is marked all Ms intercourse and movements. 
Even as Paul, by his inoffensive and beautiful con- 
duct, he " pleases all men in all things," if that be 
possible ; — not seeking therein his own profit, but 



188 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

the profit of many, that they may be saved. And, 
withal, this, as already hinted, accords entirely with 
the genius of pure Christianity. A true Christian, 
whether minister or layman, is " the highest style 
of man." He foreshadows, in his general conduct, 
the gracefulness, the loveliness of that world into 
which nothing enters that offends. 



XV. 

" Weep with them that weep." — Rom. xii, 15. 

The minister for the times is a sympathizing pastor. 
He identifies himself with the interests of his peo- 
ple. They are to him as a single family, of which 
he is the approved religious teacher, counsellor, 
brother, and friend. In all their afflictions he is 
afflicted. For the purity, comfort, and prosperity 
of each member, he is profoundly interested. With 
unutterable concern he follows the inquirer — enters 
into his case — gives him the needed directions — 
and comes with him to the feet of Jesus. He per- 
fectly sympathizes with the convert — appreciates 
his trials and doub tings — rejoices in his joy — and 
cherishes him as a nurse cherisheth her children. 
In all the sorrows of his people he participates. 
He passes by the house of feasting that he may 
linger with the mourner, and help to bear his bur- 
den, and afford the appropriate consolation. He 
remembers the aged and feeble — often goes where 



FOR THE TIMES. . 189 

they are — sits down at their side — is touched, in 
his degree, with "the feeling of their infirmities " 
— cheers, with his Christian smiles and friendship, 
life's sombre evening — and labours to kindle anew 
the sweet hope of a better and more enduring sub- 
stance. If called to admonish, it is out of much 
affliction and anguish of heart, and with "many 
tears." Remembering the pit whence himself was 
digged, and the frailties of fallen humanity, he al- 
ways mingles kindness with severity; and when 
real penitence is evinced, he is, at once, ready to 
forgive and comfort, lest the erring one should be 
swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. The sick 
are special objects of his tender sympathy and most 
watchful attention. He visits them constantly, cau- 
tiously, yet with earnest zeal and prayer, making 
use of every appropriate means to benefit and save 
the soul, while he sympathizes with the sufferings 
of the body. And, in general, whether of spiritual 
or bodily frailty, who is weak, and he is not weak ? 
Who is offended, and he burns not ? 



XVI. 

"Distributing to the necessity of saints? — Rom. xii, 13. 

The minister for the times is a charitable pastor. 
He is forward to remember the poor ; and his heart 
and his hand are always open, according to his 
ability, to aid in supplying their wants. He is 



190 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

acquainted with every real object of charity within 
his charge ; and while, from his own resources, he 
does what he can for their assistance, he is also 
diligent to interest others in their behalf. The poor 
and destitute are, indeed, the objects of his special 
care. He forgets not that such was the spirit and 
practice of Christ himself. He was anointed to 
preach the gospel to the poor. He was sent to 
heal the broken-hearted — to preach deliverance to 
the captives — and recovering of sight to the blind 
— and to set at liberty them that were bruised. 
He remembers that the great scheme of salvation 
itself was but the outbeaming of infinite charity ; — 
that He who was rich for our sakes became poor, 
that we, through his poverty, might be rich. 
" Freely ye have received, freely give," is the pro- 
clamation breathing forth from the glorious gospel ; 
while therein prospects the most blissful are con- 
stantly held forth, inviting the minister and every 
Christian to faithfulness in this respect. The mer- 
ciful are to obtain mercy. He who is considerate 
of the poor is to be delivered in time of trouble, 
and his righteousness is to endure forever. He 
lends to the Lord, who is to pay him again. His 
light is to break forth as the morning — the glory 
of the Lord is to be his rearward. He is to call, 
and the Lord will answer. His darkness is to be 
as noonday, and the Lord is to guide him continu- 
ally — making him as a watered garden — as a spring 
of water, failing not ; and at last he is to be wel- 
comed to the heavenly inheritance, his deeds of 



FOR THE TIMES. 191 

charitable goodness being received as done to the 
Lord himself. 

Of Fletcher of Madely, it is recorded that he 
was never happier than when he had given away 
the last penny in his house. Over a handful of 
silver which he was wont to take with him when 
going abroad to visit the sick, he rejoiced as a miser 
over bags of newly discovered treasure. Such is 
the character of the genuine pastor — the true shep- 
herd of the flock of Christ. 



XVII. 

" — Nothing by partiality" — 1 Tim. v, 21. 

The minister for the times is an impartial pastor. 
So many hints have already fallen illustrative of 
this feature of the good pastor, that but few special 
remarks will be necessary. The whole spirit of the 
gospel is strictly impartial. God so loved the world. 
For the "whole world"- — "for all" — "for every 
man"— the Saviour died. Whosoever believeth — 
whosoever will — all that labour — him that cometh 
— shall be saved. God wills that not any shall 
perish — that all shall repent. The same spirit of 
impartiality was enjoined upon the apostles and 
primitive disciples. They were to preach to every 
creature — they were to warn every man, and teach 
every man, in order to present every one perfect in 
Christ Jesus. With special solemnity were they 



192 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

charged to observe the various duties of the minis- 
try without preferring one before another, doing 
nothing by partiality. For while the wisdom that 
is from above is pure, peaceable, and gentle, mer- 
ciful and fruitful it is also, without partiality and 
without hypocrisy. Such is the wisdom suited to 
the minister and pastor in every age. He is greatly 
careful on the point in question. If he is attentive 
to the rich — the refined — the learned — the honour- 
able, he is equally attentive to the poor — the igno- 
rant — and the obscure. All are the objects of his 
most affectionate regard — all live in his prayers — 
all are met by his pious counsels and influence, 
luring them all, if possible, to life eternal. 



XVIII. 

" Fol!oiv—peace—"—2 Tim. ii, 22. 

The minister for the times is a peaceable pastor. 
It is one of the constant studies of the pastor we 
describe that he may pursue and promote peace 
among his own people, and, so far as his influence 
extends, in the whole catholic Church. He watches 
the first risings of strife, and hastens to allay it. 
He exhorts to peace with earnest entreaties. Him- 
self following peace with all men, so he persuades 
all to be at peace among themselves. He expects 
no good to dwell where there is contention, but 
rather that all things will wax worse and worse. 



FOR THE TIMES. 193 

Hence, he aims to bring Christians to be kindly 
affectioned one toward another, and, if it be possi- 
ble, to live peaceably with all men ; — with all low- 
liness and meekness, with long- suffering, forbearing 
one another in love, endeavouring to keep the unity 
of the Spirit in the bonds of peace. God having 
called Christians to peace, the good pastor labours 
that his people do all things without murmurings 
and disputings, in order that they may be blameless 
and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke in 
the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, 
among whom they are to shine as lights in the 
world. Peace within, and with all men, is one of 
the lovely fruits of the Spirit, and one of the fair 
attributes of that wisdom which cometh from above. 
Peace, then, is a prominent point with the wise and 
holy minister of the Lord Jesus. He speaks, and 
acts, and prays for the peace of Jerusalem. He 
will suffer large personal inconveniences and wrongs, 
rather than allow any unholy disturbances to be 
awakened or sustained. He will refrain from all 
religious controversy, so long as he may do so con- 
scientiously ; and when duty may call him to con- 
tend, he will do it with the spirit of Christian peace 
and love — warring only against error and sin — 
striving only for the truth — and labouring with his 
might to lead all to rest firmly and safely upon the. 
great foundation of peace and love. 

13 



194 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

XIX. 

" Comfort ye my people"— Isa.. xli, 1 . 

The minister for the times is a comforting pastor, 
He is himself comforted. He has known, in one 
form or another, what severe affliction is. The 
Lord has tried him as in the fires. Perhaps it is 
true of him at the present time that he dies daily. 
He may be bearing about with him continually the 
dying of the Lord Jesus. No marvel if he be a 
living martyr. He dwells, it may be, in the fur- 
nace ; and all this, not merely for his own purifica- 
tion and salvation, but that he may be the more 
perfectly qualified to sympathize with the sorrows 
of others, and to point them to the great Source 
of consolation. He is not a mere theoretical helper 
and guide, but he is one of deep and solemn expe- 
rience. He has passed into the cloud. His breast 
has been bared to the awful storm. Wave follow- 
ing wave has gone over him. He has tasted and 
drunk to the dregs some of the bitterest of earth's 
bitter cups. He has looked up and wished to die, 
and be no more seen ; and when the aching, faint- 
ing head was just sinking beneath the cold, dark 
waters, it found a resting-place upon the arm of 
Jesus, whose grace proved sufficient for him. Above 
the tempest arose a voice, saying, " It is I, fear 
not !" Henceforth he leaned upon the Strong, and 
smiled amid his tears ; and there was healing with 



£0R THE TIMES, 195 

his wounding, and praise was blended with sighs, 
and the comfort of the Holy Ghost was there, and 
in his daily song he blesses God, even the Father 
of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies 
and the God of all comfort, who comforteth him 
in all his tribulation, that he may be able to com- 
fort them which are in any trouble by the comfort 
wherewith he himself is comforted of God. For, 
as the sufferings of Christ abound in him, so his 
consolation also aboundeth by Christ ; and whether 
he be afflicted or comforted, it is for the consolation 
and salvation of the souls of men. 

With these sublime views, the good minister and 
pastor takes joyfully the spoiling of his earthly 
prospects and happiness. It is a part of the min- 
isterial discipline. It is one of the deep lessons of 
his professional education. It is a process probably 
indispensable to the perfection of his ministry. It 
is a vast price paid for a shining qualification, with- 
out which the minister would be ever defective, 
It is the loss of all things, that all may be gained. 
It is the enduring of all things for the elect's sake, 
that they may also obtain the salvation which is in 
Jesus Christ with eternal glory. 



196 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

XX. 

" Feed my lambs." — John xxi, 15. 

The minister for the times, as a pastor, is specially 
mindful of the young. The young constitute a very 
prominent part of his charge ; and his faithfulness 
with the children and youth of his congregation 
promises as much usefulness as any other depart- 
ment of his ministerial and pastoral efforts. The 
young, therefore, are never out of his mind. They 
have his particular attention in all his visiting from 
house to house. He never overlooks the children, 
but speaks to them kindly, draws them around 
him, and wins their confidence and affection. Nor 
does he consider them as too young to be taught 
of the Lord, and to be instructed, like the child 
Timothy, in the Holy Scriptures, which are able to 
make them wise unto salvation. Hence, so far as 
practicable, the good pastor regularly catechises 
the children as he passes through the several neigh- 
bourhoods of his charge. Adopting the mode that 
seems to him the most feasible for the performance 
of this important duty, he makes it a steady prac- 
tice, and an indispensable part of his pastoral en- 
gagements. If the children of several families may 
be brought together, he will have an appointed 
time and place for such a gathering ; or, if this is 
inconvenient or impracticable, then he will catechise 
them at home, and persevere in this duty as he goes 



FOR THE TIMES. 197 

from house to house. Thus he will become ac- 
quainted with the children, and they with him ; 
and thus sacred impressions will almost surely be 
made upon their hearts which shall result in great 
good in time to come. Nor will the good minister 
neglect the young in the more public labours of 
the sanctuary. He will have his times for familiar 
addresses to them, and for catechising them in the 
house of God. He will come down from the pul- 
pit, assemble the children before him, and break 
unto them, as they are able to receive it, the bread 
of eternal life. 

The Sabbath-school, likewise, will receive, of 
course, his most careful attention, and his most 
hearty co-operation. He will acquaint himself with 
all its movements, suggest any improvements that 
may be desirable, and counsel and encourage the 
superintendents and teachers. Passing around, at 
times, from class to class,- he will listen to the ques- 
tions and answers, and the instructions communi- 
cated. He will, as often as is proper, favour the 
school with brief and pertinent remarks, either sug- 
gested by the lesson of the day, or by some recent 
intelligence, or some providential event. If such 
a thing be practicable, he will meet the teachers 
weekly, with a view to their better preparation for 
the exercises of the ensuing Sabbath. Nor will the 
Sabbath-school be forgotten in the public prayers 
and the public preaching. He will present its 
claims before the congregation, and urge the co- 
operation of every one for its prosperity and sue- 



198 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

cess. In a word, he will unfold its great import- 
ance to the eyes of the people — he will enlist, if 
possible, all talents in its behalf: — he will enlarge 
its numbers to the utmost — and he will do all 
possible to render its influence pure, powerful, and 
saving. 



XXI. 

" — Full — of the Holy Ghost!' — Acts vi, 5. 

The minister for the times is a spiritual pastor. 
All his movements and ways exhibit him as a holy 
and devout minister of Christ. He always and 
everywhere wears the aspect of unostentatious de- 
votion. He is obviously a man of much and fer- 
vent prayer. He is always serious — always in 
earnest. He has little to do with the world. His 
conversation is mostly spiritual and gracious. He 
spends no time where he may not further the cause 
of Christ. His studies are all elevated and devo- 
tional. He gives himself, wholly to the ^things of 
his high calling. He never removes his* eye from 
the salvation of the people. Like his great Mas- 
ter, he goes here and there doing good ; and as he 
goes, the fire of holy affection and spiritual joy is 
ever burning. He rejoices evermore, and in every- 
thing gives thanks. Everywhere he strives to 
awaken holy emotions and desires. He longs a^id 
labours to spread the divine flame which glows 
within feis own heart. Hungering and thirsting 



FOR THE TIMES. 199 

after God, the influence of all his labours is to be- 
get the same heavenly appetites. He abides and 
walks in the Spirit, and the fruits of the Spirit are 
abundantly manifest in him. The Spirit of God 
dwells with him ; and none that contemplate him 
can mistake the character of his heart, the motives 
which actuate him, or the tendency of his spirit 
and efforts. He is a good man, and full of the 
Holy Ghost, 



XXII. 

" Ensamples to the flock." — 1 Pet. v, 3. 

The minister for the times is an exemplary pastor. 
He is an " example of the believers " in toorcl. His 
doctrine is sound and pure, and always communi- 
cated by him in sound speech that cannot be con- 
demned. His lips keep knowledge ; and, as the 
people hear the law of God at his mouth, he pro- 
claims it to them according to judgment and truth. 
He brings in no strange doctrines — starts no here- 
sies—deals in no unscriptural and unwarrantable 
speculations and theories ; but is an example of the 
truth as it is in Jesus. 

He is an example in conversation. He has put 
off the former conversation of the old man — that 
which is corrupt and vain. His conversation is now 
ordered aright, and is such as becometh the gospel 
of Christ. It is good — holy— chaste— upright— 
without covetousness — having Christ for its end — 



200 MINISTER OP CHRIST 

heavenly — and such as ministers grace to the hear- 
ers — and such, of course, as is, in the highest de- 
gree, appropriate and exemplary. 

He is an example in charity. He has perfect 
love and good- will toward all men. He has the 
charity that suffereth long and is kind, and goes 
out in deeds of goodness toward all within his 
reach, and especially to the destitute and suffering. 
His charity is fervent — it is " put on " as a garment 
of beauty — it is that which aboundeth, and which 
accompanies all the doings of the minister of Christ. 
It covers a multitude of sins, and beareth, and be- 
lieveth, and hopeth all things. 

He is an example in spirit. His is a renewed 
spirit — a spirit of meekness and quietness — a spirit 
of humility, gentleness, patience, and love. The 
Holy Spirit of God has baptized his spirit — remov- 
ing from it whatever was impure, violent, and offen- 
sive, and making it a partaker of the divine nature, 
and ornamented with all the fruits of the Spirit. 

He is an example in faith. He is strong in the 
Lord, and in the power of His might. He trusts 
in God fully, and is never moved. 

He is an example of purity. He keeps himself 
unspotted from the world. He is pure of heart, 
and is a temple of the Holy Ghost, and is without 
suspicion. 

In a word, he is exemplary in all things. He is 
holy, harmless, undefiled, and separate from sin- 
ners. He is blameless, a son of God without re- 
buke, and shines as a light in the world. 



Conclusion. 



THE MINISTER OF CHRIST FOR THE TIMES. 



CONCLUSION. 

It is a sublime thought that an elevated character, 
as a minister of Christ, is possible to every one who 
is moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon himself 
this office and work. All of such may, if they will, 
become eminent in their calling, and accomplish a 
great work in their generation. Startling, as well 
as deeply affecting, is such an announcement as this ; 
while there rolls up, perchance, the dark remem- 
brance of hours misspent and lost — of energies mis- 
directed — of privileges dissipated and squandered 
— of sunny eminences far above us, whereon we 
might have now been treading in joyous influence 
and happiness. Yet it will be well for us if the 
interest we feel in meditations like these go not out 
in vain regrets. The true province of a man of 
God is, standing wherever he may, and amid what- 
ever wreck or loss already sustained, to turn his 
eye upwards, and, rallying whatever strength he 
may, spread forth his wings for a lofty flight. Let 
him forget the things that lie behind. Let him 
reach to those that are before him, and press toward 
the mark. 



204 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

It is not, of course, meant that precisely the same 
kind or degree of excellence may be attained by all 
th^ servants of the Lord Jesus ; but it is meant 
that all may do nobly — that all may fulfil their 
mission — -that all may perform excellent things — 
that all may be qualified to receive, at the last, the 
heavenly greeting, "Well done, good and faithful 
servant !" He is not the truly great man who, by 
strong native abilities, with every privilege for their 
cultivation and improvement, has ascended high in 
the scale of intellectual might and influence. But 
he, rather, shall be great — at least in the sight of 
the Lord — who, starting from any point along life's 
progress, lives henceforth singly to God ; — to hea- 
ven dedicates, in good faith, every power — every 
activity — every talent and acquirement; — and all 
whose life, from this hour, "is Christ" alone. 

The great query, therefore, is, Will a minister of 
the gospel, ranging, in age, from twenty to sixty 
or more years — will he draw near, and make the 
everlasting consecration? Renouncing this world 
— turning straight away from all its spirit and pur- 
suits — and giving up every mortal hope, will he 
enter within the world of the Bible — will he put 
on the spotless and holy vestments — will he pledge 
every power to this great ministry — will he, till he 
die, know nothing save Jesus Christ, and him cru- 
cified? This is the solemn, the awful issue. If 
there be any of Christ's ministers whom we are 
accustomed to denominate as ordinary — whose 
standing is respectable, yet who are not marked by 



FOR THE TIMES. 205 

any extraordinary qualities — who pass reputably, 
from year to year, along the usual routine of min- 
isterial duties ; — or if there be those who may have 
fallen short of the standard of mediocrity — whose 
ministrations have failed to be ordinarily accepta- 
ble, and who seem destined by circumstances to 
move in an obscure path ; — will any one of either 
of these classes, from this hour till death, throw, 
without reserve, his whole being and his whole ac- 
tion into the minister's work ? If he will, then he 
shall forthwith emerge from his present sphere of 
movement and influence. He will be seen ascend- 
ing by a progress perhaps slow at first, yet sure, 
and strong, and steady ; and, in the great sequel, 
he will be standing among that select company 
whose mark of distinction and greatness will be 
that they turned many to righteousness. 

We may not, then, be diverted from the plain 
point. The whole question is, Will one of Christ's 
ministers be entirely his — and that not for a day — ■ 
not for an occasion — but for the residue of his life ? 
Will he, like Payson, permit no good to be unac- 
complished which, in his life, he may perform ? 
Will he, like Edwards, on the supposition that, in 
his generation, there will be but one complete 
Christian, act just so as if he strove to be that one ? 
Will he give himself wholly and forever away ? 
In solemn faith, will he run a race that shall com- 
mence to-day, and close at death ? Will he never, 
while he lives, take away his eye — his heart — his 
hand, from the salvation of men ? Then, I repeat 



206 MINISTER OF CHBlST 

it, the result is certain. As he sows he shall reap, 
as sure as destiny ; and his success and triumph 
are written in heaven. 

If alt this be doubted, let us venture a nearer 
approach, and look in upon one of the men whom 
Christ has called into his ministry. Let us sup- 
pose him to be, as hundreds are, without much visi- 
ble success, with only a moderate share of courage 
and hope, and, of course, with no more than an 
ordinary degree of zeal in any of the important 
departments of his work. Let us further suppose 
that this good man is, on some day, ruminating in 
solitude — lamenting his personal deficiencies, and 
the apparent unfruitfulness of his ministrations. 
As he still meditates — calls up the past — bethinks 
himself of his rapidly waning years, how little he 
has yet done, how little he seems destined to do, 
his feelings overcome him, and he lays his face up- 
on his table and weeps in bitterness. We may 
imagine, further, that suddenly, and in the midst 
of his tears, a change comes over him, and a new 
spirit enters into him. It would seem that an un- 
wonted baptism from eternity had touched and 
pervaded his being. He raises his head and looks 
upward; and, as he looks, he longs for the glory 
of God in the salvation of men. Falling upon his 
knees, he, in long, and sacred, and sweet commun- 
ings, pledges himself, henceforth, to this one and 
only object. He reviews the exceeding great and 
precious promises, and finds and feels all to be 
secure. He perceives, more vividly than ever be- 



FOR THE TIMES, 207 

fore, that it is for him to labour and believe. To 
labour, therefore, he proceeds. He struggles ear- 
nestly to supply all deficiencies pertaining to his re- 
ligious and social character. He strikes for every 
manly, good, and beautiful trait, for his own per- 
sonal adorning, and that he may be perfect and 
entire, wanting nothing. Then, again, he rear- 
ranges, so to speak, his whole intellectual furniture. 
He hastens to set his mind in perfect order. He 
adopts a new line of studies, and a new plan of 
prosecuting them. The Bible becomes, more than 
ever, the great centre of all his studies and re- 
searches. Much reading, in which he formerly 
indulged himself, is laid aside forever. He reads 
and studies now for one object — his direct improve- 
ment as a minister and preacher of the gospel. 
With as much care, labour, and faithfulness as pos- 
sible, he prepares his sermons ; and is in earnest 
with respect to every study and exercise that will 
help to give him power in preaching, in order that 
he may be the more successful, and more fully 
honour God. His industry and diligence become 
greatly increased. Almost mysteriously to him- 
self, he rallies many more hours to his service than 
formerly. He finds himself, at early morning, with 
his delightful pursuits ; and time, in his eye, has 
suddenly acquired an unearthly value. He catches 
at every moment, that he may press it into the 
service of Christ. It is not strange, then, that his 
preaching undergoes a sudden and decided change. 
It is stronger — more direct — more spiritual, con- 



208 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

vincing, hopeful, animated, and joyous than before. 
As a consequence, the attention of the people is 
more fully enlisted — the congregation increases- 
seriousness, here and there, and, perhaps, very 
general, falls upon the mind. Cheered by more 
promising appearances, and especially encouraging 
himself in the Lord his God, this renewed and 
revived minister is all abroad among his people. 
Every day finds him passing from house to house, 
seconding, by personal address, the appeals of the 
pulpit, and doing everything which social and 
friendly intercourse may accomplish for the salva- 
tion of the flock. Every day he gains vigour and 
power by action. His " profiting " already appears 
- — his ascent is obvious and beautiful. He is no 
longer grovelling — he is not now an ordinary man. 
He has thrown himself fully into all the service of 
his Lord, and may be seen in the front ranks of 
the heavenly soldiery, doing battle in the name of 
the God of salvation. 

In thy life's history, has there passed before thee 
no example answering to the above brief picture ? 
Was there never a minister on whom the multitude 
looked — listened patiently to his preaching — then 
passed on, much as though nothing had happened ? 
Yet that same minister came again in after time, 
and the hearts of men trembled as he moved among 
them. As he ascended the pulpit and lifted up 
his voice, it appeared a more than human sound, 
and echoed to the soul for long years afterward. 
Wherever he went, God went with him, and every- 



FOR THE TIMES. 209 

where sealed his ministry. From him, as from a 
centre, went forth in every direction a wave of sal- 
vation, bearing a great company to the heavenly 
shore, whither that blessed man has gone to greet 
them, and rejoice with them along the bright and 
joyous day of immortality. 

And what made the difference in the two eras 
of this man's ministry ? Not, we answer, a differ- 
ence of learning — not a change of place, of deno- 
mination, of pecuniary circumstances, or of domestic 
relations. The difference lay directly here. In the 
former era, he was but partially dedicated to the 
salvation of men. In the latter era, that partial 
dedication was full and complete. In the former 
era he was as too many of the present generation 
of ministers are. He looked toward Christ often ; 
yet often, too, his eye wandered. At times he be- 
lieved — at times he doubted. Now he laboured — 
then he fainted. In one hour, he ran swiftly along 
the race-ground ; — in another, he lingered, culling 
flowers by the way. Sometimes lovely glimpses 
of heavenly glory met his vision ; — then again, for 
long days, that blessed world was unseen. In the 
latter era, his eye looked right on; — he saw ever- 
lasting things — he forgot his worldly reputation- 
he had but one object for which to live — he labour- 
ed, with all his might, to bring to pass one result. 
He succeeded, and his name will be held in eternal 
remembrance. 

It is to be feared of many ministers of Christ — 
especially those of the more talented and popular 

14 



210 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

class — that, especially in the earlier years of their 
ministry, some other darling idea influences and 
sways the mind, rather than the one thought of a 
holy eminence in the work of saving souls, and of 
making full proof of their ministry. Who may 
say, in respect to a young minister of some promi- 
nence, how often or how long his heart wanders 
from this grand object of the ministry of reconcilia- 
tion? Who shall tell us how far, in some cases, 
the direct work of converting and saving men is 
held subordinate ? Who shall write the number 
of days out of the days of the year when the 
thought of sinners saved hardly enters the mind ? 
Who shall mark for us the pages — the volumes 
over which a minister lingers, and which have no 
more to do with his appropriate purpose than with 
any other pursuit or object whatever ? Who shall 
calculate the amount of talent and of thought ex- 
pended by ministers of the gospel, the aim and 
direction of which varies from a soul's conversion ? 
Who shall number up the sermons that have looked 
partially toward salvation, and which have looked 
strongly toward objects that have nothing to do 
with heaven ? Who shall record the conversations 
among ministers, and between ministers and others, 
from which Christ retired, and with which Satan 
had no controversy ? Who shall compare the sighs 
for a sinner's rescue, and those which have been 
breathed forth for what, in the comparison, is lighter 
than the dust of the balance ? Who shall count 
the minister's tears falling into Jehovah's bottle, 



FOR THE TIMES. 211 

and written in His book — tears for a world's re- 
demption? Where is the minister who, in God's 
name, goes forth conquering and to conquer — 
whose harness of warfare is never to be put off till 
the whole great battle is fought — who, in a sense, 
forgets all present victories in his mighty struggle 
for further and still further conquests — who would 
prefer the rescue of sinners perishing, rather than 
to witness, with the morning stars, the laying of 
earth's foundations — who tremulously feels that 
the whole world gained, for a soul lost, would be 
an exchange eternally disastrous ? 

Yet such is the true minister. Such is the high 
character to be attained — such is the ministerial 
eminence within the reach of every man in whose 
ear hath Jesus whispered, " Go preach my gospel." 
Two solemn -paths stretch themselves before this 
man, either one of which he may now choose, and 
along which to walk during the few years of this 
century in which he shall be seen upon the earth. 
He may select that path preferred, alas ! by too 
many — the path of ministerial mediocrity. Walk- 
ing there, he shall not be useless. Many an ap- 
proved sermon he will preach — many a friendly 
conversation will he hold — many a smiling circle 
shall greet him — many a pleasing volume and in- 
teresting theme will attract his meditations. He 
shall do good — he shall be respected. When he 
dies, good men will bear his remains to their last 
resting-place ; and, retiring, shall say of him, " He 
was a worthy minister, and he rests from his labours/' 



212 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

Or, this same minister may take another path, 
He may strike off from the more common and 
beaten track, and, leaning upon eternal strength, 
venture away upon a more lofty and mighty ca- 
reer. He may urge his way to the cross, and there 
deliver himself up to complete and everlasting cru- 
cifixion as to all this world. He may open wide 
his heart for the inpouring of the heavenly influ- 
ences. He may embrace his Bible, and write it, 
henceforth, the book of his life. He may make a 
covenant with all ministerial labour as his chosen 
portion on earth. He may vow eternal confidence 
in God's grace and providence, and labour on, and 
fight on with hope forever blooming, and with an 
eye unmoved from Him who is invisible. Christ, 
and him crucified, shall be the grand centre of all 
his knowledge — of all his studies — his preaching — 
his prayers — his exhortations — his affections — his 
life. He shall relinquish the world, and seize upon 
heaven. He shall dispense with reputation, and 
become a fool for the sake of God's unclouded and 
eternal smile. He shall break loose from men, that 
he may catch men ; and shall give up all, that he 
may find all. Thus he may pass his few earthly 
and transient years ; and dying out of this world, 
and arriving at the home of the blessed, there shall 
follow him thither, and follow him as he traverses 
immortal ages, a thousand delicious voices waked 
by him on earth, and blessing him through eternity. 

" Give thyself wholly !" Ah, what volumes lie 
enfolded in those . three words ! "What a power — 



FOR THE TIMES. 213 

what a prerogative — what a privilege — are all writ- 
ten there ! How deep that voice, and how authori- 
tative and creative ! And lo ! it falls upon the ear 
of every minister of the Lord Jesus. Thence a 
heavenly genius beckons to each one that he come 
up higher. " Emerge from thy wilderness, leaning 
upon the Beloved. Put on thy beautiful garments, 
watchman of the Lord ! Thy Saviour — thy own 
Redeemer and Lover, calls for thee. Who will gird 
himself and run ? Who will be valiant for the Lord 
of Hosts ? Who will dwell within His arms ? 
Who will take hold of infinite strength, and tower 
aloft amid heavenly illuminations, and run without 
weariness, and walk without faintness ? There 
opens to thee a great and effectual door, while be- 
fore thee all pure and joyous spirits solicit thee 
away; and behind, all solemn voices urge thee to 
enter and walk there." 

It will, of course, be perceived, from the obser- 
vations that have preceded, that the writer is not 
dilating upon a possibility merely theoretical or 
philosophical ; but he designs rather to indicate a 
possibility that is actual and practical. The minis- 
ter of Christ, by G-od's grace, and by his accepting 
that grace, may, until he dies, live with his might 
for one purpose only, and that the great purpose 
for which the Lord of glory " came into the world." 
The concentration of a man's energies — the sole 
devotion of his life upon a single all- engrossing 
point, is, in the actual world, no new thing. Who 
can contemplate the almost superhuman energy 



214 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

that, in this age, is consecrated to the service of 
Mammon, and longer doubt the capacity of men 
for such a devotion? Thousands of men in this 
country — men splendid in native abilities, and rich 
in intellectual acquisitions — have been giving several 
entire years of their lives to gain. This was the 
fair gem that filled their eye — this was the one 
idea — this was the -goal toward which they raced 
like giants — this was the one point toward which 
every thought and every energy was bent — this 
was the mighty principle of all action. For this 
they rose early, and watched late and long — for 
this they left home and country, and children and 
wife, and churches and books, and wandered far 
away, and sickened and suffered, and perilled their 
lives and happiness, and, at least for the time, 
reckoned all else as loss, and, regardless of what- 
ever lay upon the right hand or the left, reached, 
with longing ineffable, and with energy single, un- 
tiring, and consummate, after the golden prize. 
Had these same men, under heavenly influence, 
thus run and striven for a world's salvation, that 
salvation would now be well-nigh realized, and the 
desolations and deserts of earth would be rejoicing 
and blossoming as the rose. 

Or, who can contemplate another class of the 
human race, and of whom Julius Caesar among the 
ancients, and Napoleon Bonaparte among moderns, 
may be considered representatives, and not assent 
to the practical possibility of perfect consecration 
to one great purpose ? Did such men ever, for one 



FOR THE TIMES. 215 

moment, swerve from the object of their hearts ? 
Looked they not right on ? Was any sacrifice too 
great if it might contribute to the accomplishment 
of the object sought? Could hunger or thirst — 
friends or wealth — ease or honour — tears or blood 
— anything in earth or hell — arrest, for a moment, 
their onward rush for fame and power ? Was not 
their purpose single — all- engrossing — indomitable ? 
Such, then, is man. He is capable of chasing, 
with all his might, and for a series of months and 
years, one great end. And if this be true of ends 
and objects which, in their nature, are evanescent ; 
is it not, for a still stronger reason, true as pertain- 
ing to those objects which are divine in their nature, 
immortal in their duration, and infinite in their 
value ? And have there been no moral and Chris- 
tian heroes to test this capacity, and exhibit it to 
the eyes of men in beautiful and sublime realiza- 
tion ? Such was Paul. It is entirely unnecessary 
here to review his history. From the morning of 
the Christian era has it shone forth, a most instruc- 
tive as well as illustrious lesson touching the capa- 
bilities of a sanctified human intelligence ; and will 
pass down to time's latest day, a charming presen- 
tation of what man may be, and what man may 
do, when he takes hold on God, and deeply in his 
heart insists that "through Christ he can do all 
things." Nor are we hastily to brand it as fanati- 
cal when it is claimed that another minister than 
Paul, and living in another age and nation, may 
find the " like precious faith " with him, and thus 



216 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

lay hold of the " common salvation," — yesterday, 
to-day, and forever the same, — and, so far as one 
single great purpose and pursuit are concerned, 
emulate and equal the heroic apostle. Examples 
approximating this bright consummation rise in 
beauty before the eye as it traces the story of the 
Church. And who shall tell us how many others, 
in different ages, have lived and died, whose names, 
though great and distinguished in heaven, are hid- 
den from history? And who shall presume to 
affirm that, amid the Churches of Christendom, 
and away amid the desolations of heathenism, there 
may not be men who, in " high resolve," in entire- 
ness of consecration, in laborious diligence, and in 
readiness to suffer the loss of all things, are ranked, 
by the heavenly classification, with him who was 
sent "far hence to the Gentiles." In Southern 
Africa there is said to be an immense lazar-house, 
enclosed by very lofty walls, and embracing fields 
for cultivation. It is the last earthly home of the 
poor leper. When the fatal marks begin to appear, 
the victim is led to the only entrance of that dis- 
mal prison, through which he is obliged to pass 
never to return. Within this abode of death are 
multitudes of hapless people in all stages of the 
disease, some without hands — others destitute of 
feet, tilling, as best they may, the gloomy field, 
that they may eat a little ere they die. Yet who 
shall care for their souls ? Who shall go in at that 
dreadful gate to return no more, and speedily sicken 
and perish there, for the sake of pointing those 






FOR THE TIMES. 217 

dying ones to Him who bids the leprous spirit to 
" be clean ?" This awful question has been an- 
swered. Two missionaries, several years since, 
passed through that gate, and selected that lazar- 
house as their field of labour ; while others stood 
ready, when these should die, to fill their places. 

But whence and what is this spirit ? From what 
source came this strange courage — this singular 
disinterestedness, self-denial, and devotion? It is 
nothing less, we answer, than the apostolic spirit ; 
— it is the bold martyr's courage ; — it is the strength 
which a man derives when he lies within God's 
arms ; — it is the devotion of one who fears nothing 
when God and angels are with him ; — who knows 
that if death is near, heaven is as near ; — who loves 
God with all his heart, and his neighbour as him- 
self; and is ready to go with Jesus "both into 
prison and to death." 

It is a false, a mistaken modesty in Christ's min- 
isters of this generation, or rather, it is a pernicious 
lack of genuine faith, and of Scriptural apprecia- 
tion of the " glorious gospel of the blessed God," 
when these ministers decline the notion of their 
title to the apostolic fire, courage, devotion, and 
success. Christ's apostles, aside from himself, were 
as other men. So are we. Christ's apostles, united 
to himself, could do all things. So can we. Nor 
is the present interesting age of the world any time 
to sympathize with the weak spirit of Shammua 
and his inglorious compeers. Caleb and Joshua, 
rather, are to be our exemplars here; and with 



218 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

hearts firm like theirs, and with the eye steadily 
upon the minister's lofty and true position, " let us 
go up at once and possess it, for we are well able." 

But if well able, through grace, to be eminently 
and fully devoted as ministers of Christ, then how 
plain — how without mistake is our duty ! There 
is absolutely no room left for hesitation, and we 
must be given wholly to our ministry. 

And if the reasons for such exclusive and entire 
devotion were to pass under review, we should, 
doubtless, among other considerations, be reminded 
of the solemn greatness of the ministerial work. 
Who can think of the requisite goodness and purity 
of the gospel minister — his requisite studies — his 
requisite preaching — his requisite praying — his re- 
quisite social and pastoral labours — his requisite 
care and " eternal vigilance " — all taken in con- 
nexion with that most momentous reckoning of his 
at the day of judgment ; — who can meditate upon 
these things, and still find license or disposition for 
but a partial offering and consecration to this high 
calling ? If one whom we are accustomed to con- 
template as almost an angel in human form, rather 
than as one of us — if he was prompted to exclaim, 
"Who is sufficient for these things?" then what 
must, indeed, be the sad deficiency of him who 
adopts the ministerial work only as one of his frail 
life's pursuits? Assuredly, no minister of Christ 
can be so complete a novice as, for a single moment, 
to suspect, in the gospel ministry, a lack of scope 
for the largest and best disciplined of human pow- 






FOR THE TIMES. 219 

ers, and for the fullest and most protracted play of 
the mightiest energies of man. The vast work that 
" might fill an angel's heart, and filled a Saviour's 
hand," is surely such as is more than sufficient for 
human ability, and at sight of which a thoughtful 
man must faint but for the blissful promise, " I am 
with you always." ! there is no work — no pro- 
fession or calling — no mighty achievement pertain- 
ing to human affairs, that can bear measurement 
with the sacred minister's vocation. Does the agri- 
culturist lay out his fields, and plant orchards and 
vineyards, and gather the harvests of the " golden 
year?" The minister cultivates deathless souls, 
and deposits seed whence is to germinate bloom- 
ing and undying happiness ; and the sheaves he 
shall bring will be resplendent ranks of souls re- 
deemed and saved forever. Does the merchant go 
into "such a city," and continue there, and there 
expend every energy until he grows rich at last? 
The minister passes into that same city, and day 
and night, and from year to year, bargains, and 
plans, and negotiates for ages long to come, and 
selling all he has, purchases a treasure that shall 
be existing and productive when the sun shall shine 
no more. Do a hundred ships, traversing vast 
oceans, pour, at length, their crowded companies 
upon " golden strands," there to gather the shining 
dust until, burdened with riches, they come home 
again to rejoice in the fruit of their toils and wan- 
derings ? The minister of the kingdom, meanwhile, 
passing here and there, searches for goodly pearls, 



220 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

and gold of another species ; and persuades a mul- 
titude to provide for themselves bags which wax 
not old ; and wreathes a crown of rejoicing which, 
long after earth and its treasures are burned up, 
still " fadeth not away." Does the attorney pledge 
himself to the threatened criminal, give days and 
nights of time to the preparation of his argument, 
and, as he pleads for the dear life of the prisoner, 
exhaust, in his earnestness, the last energies of his 
intellectual and physical being? The minister is 
an advocate in a sublimer cause, and his talents are 
enlisted in a more momentous issue. He studies, 
and toils, and pleads, and weeps, that he may save 
a man from infernal executioners, and avert, if he 
may, the pangs of the undying death. Does the 
statesman meditate long and deeply, and call into 
exercise the maturest knowledge, and bring to his 
aid the most comprehensive views, for the promo- 
tion and security of national interests ? The min- 
ister consults and plans for the welfare of all na- 
tions. He is a statesman acting in behalf of the 
race ; and laying plans broad, and deep, and sure, 
for the prosperity of that kingdom that is to fill the 
whole earth, absorb all other kingdoms, and is to 
last forever. Does the minister of state pass away 
to a foreign court, to negotiate there the important 
matters arising from international relations and 
usages ? The minister of religion has a higher 
commission. He is an ambassador of the King of 
kings, sent forth not to a single nation, but to the 
world ; and the interests concerning which he treats 



FOR THE TIMES. 221 

are the interests of eternity. Is it a great thing 
that the soldier flies to the battle — bears up man- 
fully against advancing legions — braves the can- 
non's mouth — and, amid thunderings, and crash - 
ings, and confusion, and carnage, and shrieks, and 
dying cries, rushes on to victory ? There is another 
soldier whose whole life is a warfare — who is a 
captain among the sacramental hosts of God's elect 
— whose contest is not with men, but with Satan 
and all his works — urging perpetual battle against 
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of 
the darkness of this world, against spiritual wick- 
edness in high places — fights a good fight — and is 
more than conqueror — and wears the palm of final 
and immortal victory. 

But what master hand shall portray the magni- 
tude of the preacher's work ? Who shall write its 
lofty character, and unfold its transcendent impor- 
tance ? That familiar adage, that " if religion be 
anything, it is everything," finds a direct and so- 
lemn echo in the genius of the minister's calling. 
Truly, if there be anything here, then there is 
everything. If there is a hell such as the Bible 
reveals — if unregenerate men are actually so ex- 
posed to that terrible world as that nothing is 
necessary but death to bring them directly and 
irreversibly there — if, on the other hand, there be 
a Saviour, and such a Saviour as shall not only 
bear those who trust in Him to perfect safety, but 
shall also confer upon them glory, honour, and im- 
mortal happiness — and if, yet further, that Saviour 



222 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

has commissioned me to be an agent, in his name, 
for effectuating this amazing rescue — for hiding a 
sinner from that frightful and everlasting storm, 
and pointing him, and urging him upward to that 
eternal glory ; — if all these several things be so, 
then is this question forever settled. Add no other 
idea — it is enough. There is no work like my work 
this side of heaven ! Mine*, is an agency whose in- 
fluence swells toward infinity, and darts forward to 
mingle itself with endless years. Mine is a work 
at the very contemplation of which I faint and 
perish, unless borne up upon the everlasting arms. 
Spare us and pity us, good Lord ! who, in thy in- 
scrutable ways, hast seen fit to deposit this vast 
treasure in earthen vessels. Go preach my gospel 
— he that believeth shall be saved — he that be- 
lie veth not, shall be damned. Astounding com- 
mission ! Take now thy Bible — -that celestial mir- 
ror — and venture one deliberate and affecting glance 
at that damnation. Turn, then, thy mirror, and 
venture another deliberate and affecting glance at 
that salvation. Pause, now, and meditate from 
what authority proceeds this great commission. 
Then, lastly, tell us — tell us, if thou art able, what 
it is to preach! Tell us if a man, on whom this 
work and duty lie, can spare a day — an hour, to 
look at aught besides. Say whether he will wish 
or attempt to yield up his commission, and leave 
his one work, so long as, with his "latest breath, 
he may but gasp His name." 

A second reason, rising spontaneously before the 



FOR THE TIMES. 223 

mind, urging the minister's entire devotion to his 
work, is the immense extent of that work, as ob- 
jectively considered. " The world is my parish/ 7 
said one of the most remarkable and successful of 
modern ministers ; and saying this, he announced 
a great and vital principle pertaining to the Chris- 
tian ministry. In a very affecting sense does every 
gospel minister belong to the world, and the world 
belong to him. The moral condition of the race 
needs hardly to be written here. The world " lieth 
in the wicked one." If your charity can extend 
so far, you may mark off one hundred millions as 
being within the influence of the gospel. Beyond 
these, are about eight hundred millions who may 
be written as without the religion of the Lord Jesus. 
Something like this is the condition of " the world," 
named in the apostolic commission ; — the commis- 
sion which we suppose to be still binding upon the 
ministers and Churches of Christendom. These 
Churches, of different names, — especially during 
the last half century, — have been looking with 
some interest toward this wide-spread field ; while 
some efforts have been put forth, and organizations 
have been reared, and men have gone abroad, and 
have begun to act against the power of darkness, 
that has long held so great a portion of the world 
within its chains. Yet may it be said, most truly, 
that the work of evangelizing the heathen world is 
but begun; nor will it be finished in many thou- 
sand years, if the rate of progress, in time to come, 
is to be only as great as even within the last fifty 



224 MINISTER OF CHRIST. 

years. There spreads out before us, then, a world 
to be enlightened, renewed, and saved ; while this 
is to be done by Christian effort, in union with the 
grace and power of Him who is represented as 
" working with" his faithful people. 

But what is the class that is to lead on in this 
mighty enterprise ? "Who are they that appear to 
stand the most deeply and aifectingly responsible ? 
Who are they but the ministers of the Lord Jesus 
Christ ? Who shall go forth to this work if these 
are seen to linger ? What army, or division of an 
army, shall rush forth to battle, if the captains are 
backward and cowardly ? That the united force 
of all Christians upon earth is requisite for this 
great work of saving the world, will never be se- 
riously questioned. But who will come up, with 
all their energies, to the help of the Lord, if the 
ministry are but partially devoted ? It will never 
be ; and the entire consecration of gospel ministers, 
of every denomination, is absolutely indispensable. 
This is the first thing necessary, and who shall pic- 
ture forth this necessity ! Hundreds of millions of 
human beings like ourselves, for lack of vision, per- 
ishing forever ! There is that, in the keeping of a 
few, which has saved those few, and which was 
designed by the Giver to save the whole, and which 
the few are commissioned to communicate univer- 
sally, and with all diligence, that the world perish 
not. Shall the hands of any minister of Christ be 
ever, while he lives, put forth to any other work ? 
I remember to have looked upon a picture where 



EOR THE TIMES. 225 

there appeared to rise, before the eye, a field vast 
and limitless, as when one stands and looks away 
upon the heaving and shoreless sea; or pauses 
in astonishment as, travelling toward the setting 
sun, he comes to where the boundless prairie rises 
on his sight. In every direction, wide over that 
far-reaching area, stood, waving in beauty, a harvest 
tall, and dense, and white, ail waiting to be gath- 
ered. Full upon the foreground, and with that 
measureless expanse stretching itself before them, 
stood two or three reapers, ready with their sickles. 
But what, thought I, are these "few labourers/' 
traversing that "great harvest?" They are just 
what our few hundred missionaries are, compared 
with the hundreds of millions that crowd the wide 
arena of heathenism. If to one labourer in this 
field there were a thousand, there would be not 
one too many ; — all would find an abundance of 
duties and of labours in leading this sinful world to 
repentance and to heaven. If the present genera- 
tion of Christian ministers and missionaries all com- 
mence to-morrow, and, until their day of death, live, 
and toil, and contrive only for the illumination and 
salvation of men, they will all die leaving still much 
of the great harvest ungathered and untouched. 
Or suppose it otherwise. Imagine that all the 
world had now been reached by the gospel mes- 
sage, and all its millions were sitting at the feet of 
Jesus, and in their right mind — all, save one slen- 
der colony, away upon some isle of the ocean. 
Under these circumstances, were the question pro- 

15 



226 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

posed whether this great world of ministers and 
Christians should rally every available and possible 
energy and means for the conversion and salvation 
of that one colony, would there be a moment's 
hesitation? What, then, should be every minis- 
ter's position as the world actually is ? If the sal- 
vation of the few should enlist, if necessary, every 
ability and talent of the many, shall not the salva- 
tion of the many much more command the entire 
dedication of the few ? All this is perfectly con- 
clusive in the eye of reason and judgment. There 
is no difference of opinion among all truly good 
men touching this great matter. But we fail to 
feel. Our hearts — our deep and holy sympathies 
— are not excited. Perchance the very magnitude 
of the work exerts an influence to discourage and 
chill our energies ; while we forget that when all 
ministers and Churches shall march up to this sub- 
lime enterprise with apostolic faith, energy, love, 
and perseverance, the " Lord of the harvest " will 
be there with the strength which is almighty, 
speedily to make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. 
The work, it is true, is great. It seems, in its mag- 
nitude, to approach immensity ; yet, under the cir- 
cumstances, there must be no discouragement. All 
that is wanted of thee, is thy perfect consecration 
until death. Then shall thy debt be discharged — - 
thy last battle finished — and commenced thine 
everlasting peace and rest. 

And here is suggested a third reason, mightily 
drawing every minister to entire devotedness to his 



FOR THE TIMES. 227 

work. I refer to the brief period of his earthly 
ministry. The brevity of human life is a thought 
harmonizing with all observation, and assented to 
by every one ; while yet it is deeply realized, as 
seems probable, by very few indeed, even of serious 
and holy men. The utter darkness resting on the 
future, especially upon the month, or even the year 
of our decease, exerts an influence essentially to 
hinder most people from properly appreciating its 
solemn nearness. " We shall soon depart," saith 
the thoughtful man, and all the world assents. 
But what means this term " soon ?" and who con- 
siders it— who defines it ? Who attaches much of 
any meaning to it? Who but eschews all severe 
interpretation of so sombre an expression, and is 
fully content to leave it under as broad and indefi- 
nite a sense as is at all decent or admissible ?. The 
uncertain space is, after all, not only hoped, but 
secretly expected, to be somewhat protracted ; and 
what, through great mercy, we do not and cannot 
see, is believed, as well as wished, to be in the dis- 
tance. And yet there have been exceptions to 
these remarks. We have all read of men who, 
not in poetry, but in stern reality, appeared to hold 
their day of death as being at hand, and whose 
diligence and singleness of pursuit seemed essen- 
tially modified by such a view. " He walked with 
death always in sight," writes Mrs. Fletcher of her 
husband. "About two months ago he came to 
me and said, ' My dear love, I know not how it is, 
but I have a strange impression that death is near 



228 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

us, as if it were to be some sudden stroke upon 
one of us ; and it draws out all my soul in prayer 
that we may be ready.'" Instances of this sort 
may, perhaps, be special ; yet does it well become 
every mortal man, and particularly every minister 
of Christ, to "walk with death always in sight." 
It is quite likely that some good man will take pains 
to peruse these brief pages, and who, within three 
years following, will be away in paradise. As he 
reads, he will not believe in such a prospect. There 
will be too much mistiness — too much dreaminess — 
as he looks that way ; or, more likely, he will place 
the date of his transfer some distance beyond. Yet 
should he not — should he resign his expectations 
of tarrying a longer space, and give indulgence to 
the suspicion that all he may do as a minister of 
the gospel must be done in these few brief years, 
it is not for us to assert, indeed, what would be all 
the influence of such anticipations. But it may be 
no harm to ask whether, upon the hypothesis just 
named, the man would not contemplate with new 
views the amazing worth of a day of time — whe- 
ther hundreds of books and papers would not re- 
main untouched by him — whether many visits and 
conversations, heretofore indulged in, would not be 
henceforth omitted — whether the interests of this 
world would not be likely to attract much less of 
his attention — whether the blessed Bible would not 
become, more than ever, the book of his heart— 
whether the conversion and salvation of the souls 
of men, to the farthest extent possible, would not 



FOR THE TIMES. 229 

become his longing desire and strenuous effort — 
whether it would matter at all with him as to the 
locality of his brief ministry, except as it might 
affect the amount of good which he should accom- 
plish — and whether, in fact, all his arrangements 
would not, if practicable, be made to harmonize 
with, and be conducive to, his largest usefulness ? 

Now this whole result, so probable to arise from 
a strong and definite view of life's startling brevity, 
should be actually realized in the history of all 
Christ's holy ministry. " This I say, brethren, the 
time is short." Some of us will linger beyond the 
three forthcoming years. Others will retire within 
that transient period. It is idle to ask who ! God 
knoweth. An inquiry infinitely more consequential 
is, whether, if we live, we shall live unto the Lord, 
or whether, if we die, we shall die unto the Lord ? 
and whether, therefore, if we five or die, we shall, 
in either case, be the Lord's ? 

Let us withdraw from what is shadowy and 
doubtful, and linger, for a moment, with what ap- 
pears more clear and certain. Through mercy, we 
are launching away upon the second "half-time" 
of this eventful century. But who shall finish it ? 
What minister, now living and acting, shall be pre- 
sent at the winding up of the nineteenth century ? 
Some stripling, hale and strong, whose voice, for the 
first time, has just essayed to breathe the gospel 
message — some such one may reach that far-off 
evening, and hearken as the awful knell is sounded 
of yet another of time's passing ages. Meanwhile, 



230 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

almost all of us will be absent ! Many — many will 
have been long since dead — our work on earth all 
finished forever — our solemn account sealed by the 
recording angel, and passed up to the great Judge 
— and before us opening, in infinite sublimity, an 
eternity that shall be according to our works. This 
may be put down as a certainty ! — at least so far 
a certainty as to exclude doubt. In other words, 
in reference to the narrowness of the space before 
us, so much, on the one hand, is not revealed as to 
produce terror, or injurious solicitude ; while, on 
the other, so much is revealed as that all the dear 
delights, possessions, and hopes of this world should 
be as though they were not, and to induce us to 
be labouring, night and day, for the meat which 
endureth unto everlasting life, and doing with our 
might all our Master's work. 

Passing, from this present, backward a hundred 
years, and on each side of the Atlantic there stood 
an eminently holy and successful minister of the 
Lord Jesus, born within four months of each other ; 
differing somewhat, it is true, in speculative the- 
ology, yet of one spirit — one prayer — one work. 
Entering the afternoon of their century, one of them 
presently, and in the zenith of his extraordinary 
powers, passed away to immortality. The other 
lingered still on earth, and laboured on through 
many a toilsome summer, until, thirty years after 
the departure of his earlier contemporary, he went 
to hail him in the heavenly country. Might a man 
have stood, a century ago, and seen in prospect, 



FOR THE TIMES. 231 

as we see in retrospect, the death- dates of Jonathan 
Edwards and John Wesley, what ought he to have 
inferred other than what we so deeply feel and 
know ? namely, that their space thenceforward was 
brief indeed — that though one should reach beyond 
the other, yet the latest one would soon be called ; 
while, years before that century would run out, the 
grave would hide all that was mortal of them both. 

There in that mirror read thy certain history, 
minister of God ! Was the space brief before those 

great and godly men ? Yes, for they are gone ! 

Was it well that, seeing, as they did, life's brevity, 
they laboured with their might — and lived for God's 
cause alone — and ran a glorious race — and seized 
a crown at last, starry, and glorious, and fadeless ? 
Now turn away from " things behind ;" — lay grasp 
upon thy own great destinies, and, in the name of 
God, make haste ! Thy day, at longest, shall be 
brief — thy sun rolls toward its setting — thy work — 
O ! how great, how affecting, how momentous is it ! 
Thy heaven — O ! what influences, springing from 
these few fleeting years, shall pervade it — shall 
tinge it, through eternity ! 

Another reason for single and unreserved devo- 
tion of the minister to his one work, is seen in the 
fact that all religious enterprise and prosperity will 
be lacking in very exact proportion to his failure 
of such devotion. It must be allowed, it is true, 
that an apparent decline and deadness in religious 
things has, at times, existed where the ministry 
have not seemed to be deficient in holy consecra- 



232 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

tion and earnestness. But where there is this de- 
ficiency, are not the results almost invariably disas- 
trous ? If there be a minister who gives himself to 
his proper work but in part, — if a portion of his 
time be devoted to literary, political, or philosophi- 
cal pursuits, having no special reference to his own 
calling, — or if he be given to business speculations, 
with a view to earthly gain, — or if he spend many 
hours in listlessness, mental dissipation, or mere 
gossiping, — if, in a word, his mind, his heart, and 
hands, are much otherwise occupied than with the 
salvation of men, then all that man's deficiencies 
will be felt throughout his charge, and far beyond, 
just as surely as there will be shadow when the sun 
is obscured, or a parched earth and blighted verdure 
when the rains of heaven fail. Assuredly the law of 
cause and effect — of means and results — finds no 
exception in the world of religious action and enter- 
prise. And as a man's ordinary and secular affairs 
will be almost certain to suffer and decline in the 
absence of his careful attention and strong devotion, 
so, in a given Church especially, if the minister — the 
preacher and teacher — the pastor — the exemplar — 
the guide and guard — if he be lingering and dull 
— his movements slow, indefinite, and nerveless — 
his communications jejune, feeble, and uninterest- 
ing — his influence toward good but slender, sickly, 
or sometimes even doubtful — then alas for the 
precious gospel enterprise, so far as that voice is 
heard, and that name is known ! Religion pure and 
undefiled will hardly revive under such a ministra- 



FOR THE TIMES. 233 

tion. There will often, it is true, be one here and 
there who, in spite of the minister's unfaithfulness, 
will hold fast his integrity, and will mourn and 
weep apart, as he contemplates the decline of spi- 
ritual religion, and the sad influence so prominent 
in producing it. Yet the great majority of the 
Church will be as weak in faith and effort, as par- 
tial in their devotion, and as dull in their religious 
emotions, as their minister ; while among the unre- 
generate there will be little awakening and inquiry 
after salvation, and few will take hold of the path 
of life. The ways of Zion will mourn, her solemn 
feasts will be neglected ; while iniquity, with bold 
and shameless front, will stalk abroad. 

How can we otherwise than tremble in view of 
the awful responsibility of the Christian ministry ! 
The Church of God is imaged forth as the light of 
the world. And yet, if this light become darkness, 
how great is that darkness ! But if the Church of 
Christ becomes darkness — in other words, if the 
glorious light of gospel truth and holiness is not 
reflected forth from the body of Christ's professed 
followers, where lies the prominent difficulty ? It 
lies in the ministry. These are the great lights. 
These are the stars of God. These are, in the 
most emphatic sense, to be " burning and shining.'* 
He maketh His ministers a flaming fire. These, 
above all others, are to arise and shine. The pros- 
pects of success held forth in the Scriptures to 
faithful ministers are, as we shall afterwards illus- 
trate, as sure as the word of God. The inference 



234 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

is direct and immediate, that the unfaithful minister 
who fails to secure the promised blessings and use- 
fulness, is culpable for such a momentous failure, 
and will be held responsible. He is placed a watch- 
man. If, seeing the evil coming, he warns the trans- 
gressor — warns him faithfully and perseveringly, 
then, such sinner dying in his sins, the watchman 
has delivered his own soul. Yet if, seeing the evil 
approaching, he fails to give the requisite warning, 
the transgressor shall perish ; but when inquisition 
shall be made, at whose hands will his blood be 
required? In other words, a gospel minister fail- 
ing of the holy eminence in his calling which, by 
grace, he is fully competent to attain, and, as a cer- 
tain consequence of his short-coming, there being a 
loss to the Church — a loss to heaven — a loss that 
undying ages cannot repair, — tell us, whosoever 
is able, what shall be the reckoning of that minister 
at the great trying day? Now the loss, in the 
event of the minister's failure, appears to be as cer- 
tain as the operation of any of nature's laws. A 
minister of Christ, being faithful, will perform a 
good on earth which, he being unfaithful, will never 
have an existence. And who shall say that this 
most lamentable of all losses is not now in process 
every day, and wide among the Churches and min- 
isters of Christendom? Why linger the chariot- 
wheels of the great Christian enterprise? Why 
are so many hundred Churches at a stand, or real- 
izing but a movement that is retrograde? Why 
are millions of the heathen perishing without the 



FOR THE TIMES. 235 

light of life ? and why this ruinous lingering of the 
word of God that it fly not like fire in stubble, rush- 
ing and sweeping through the world? Ask no 
such question. The case is one of the plainest in 
philosophy. The existing phenomena are precisely 
what, without miracle, they must be — precisely 
what, according to the law of cause and effect, they 
should be. Such as are the means, so is the de- 
velopment. As is the sowing, so is the reaping, — 
and so it will continue. The prosperity of Christ's 
cause on earth is proportionate to the faithfulness 
of his ministry, nor will this law of progress be 
altered or modified. The ministers of the Lord 
Jesus taking the stand which they have heretofore 
taken, the gospel will progress as heretofore ; and 
if so, long ages must elapse ere this lost world shall 
be illuminated and evangelized. While there is so 
much to attract the minister's eye away from Jesus 
and the cross — while Christians of different names 
have so much to do for the spirit of sect — while so 
many are seeking for comfortable and popular liv- 
ings, rather than asking, " Where are the souls ?" — 
while so many are lured away within the bowers 
of literature — while so many are pausing to cater 
for a little of the gold that perishes — while so many 
forget the toil, the cross-bearing, the self-denial, 
the hardness, the intense and deathless devotion of 
the true soldier of the Lord — while so many think 
more of a name and fame on earth than of the 
" glory and honour," and the " everlasting remem- 
brance," amid the countless myriads of the re- 



236 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

deemed — in one word, while earth instead of heaven 
attracts the eye of the minister, expect no special 
progress of the kingdom of God. Marvel not at 
the slow and lingering march of churches and re- 
vivals, nor at the uprising and outspreading of ini- 
quity in the land and world. 

It is with a sadness which is unutterable that the 
writer feels himself called upon, in the present con- 
nexion, to take up a strain like this ; yet, in the 
soberest and maturest judgment which he is able 
to exercise, he views the ministers of Jesus Christ 
to be mainly responsible for the present moral as- 
pect of this fallen world. These are a class of men 
such as there is none other. They are appointed 
of the great Bishop to co-operate with himself for 
the eternal salvation of the human race. For this 
they are set apart ; — set off from this world and all 
its pursuits, and assigned over to a mysterious and 
solemn fellowship and co-labouring with God for 
the working out of a good, compared with which 
the whole physical universe is less than nothing and 
vanity. This ministry, in the strength of God, can 
take this world before the knell of this passing cen- 
tury shall be tolled. They are well able to go up 
and possess the whole land. Will they thus ad- 
vance and conquer? JSTot, I answer, as they are 
now. Judgment must begin at the house of God. 
There must be a great reformation in the sanctuary 
and at the altar ; and may God, in boundless mercy, 
hasten it ! 

These remarks will not have failed to suggest to 



tfOR THE TIMES. 23? 

tlie reader the counter reason to the one last speci- 
fied, pressing an entire dedication of the gospel 
minister to his one work ; — the reason that the suc- 
cess of a fully consecrated ministry is certain ; and, 
under its influence, the knowledge of the glory of 
the Lord will hasten to cover the earth as the wa- 
ters cover the sea. The devoted minister's success 
has been frequently referred to along the foregoing 
pages ; yet a few additional observations in this 
place will perhaps receive the indulgence of the 
reader. If the abundant testimony of the Holy 
Scriptures, amiouncing the results of a faithful min- 
istry, is to be taken as evidence applicable to the 
case in hand, then, with such testimony, we may 
rest this great argument, and never doubt again. 
Select out the following single specimen — assure us 
of our fellowship with Timothy in its application, 
and all is gained. To him the apostle writes, " Take 
heed to thyself and to the doctrine, continue in 
them, for in so doing thou shalt both save thyself 
and them that hear thee." Here all is plain; — 
there is no poetry — no mystery — no possibility of 
mistaking the apostle's logic ; and he that runs may 
read and understand. The only question remain- 
ing, then, is, Will a minister take heed, in a gospel 
sense, to himself and to the doctrine ? and will he 
continue to do so till he dies ? Then he shall save 
himself, and them that hear him. In other words, 
he shall, in the best possible sense, be surely and 
widely successful— he shall accomplish the great 
object of the Christian ministry — he shall be in- 



238 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

strumental of saving sinners for whom Christ died, 
and secure for himself a mansion of rest in the 
everlasting kingdom. Now multiply this great, this 
enchanting result of a single devoted minister's 
operations, by the number of all the ministers of 
the gospel scattered over the world, added to the 
number that shall arise during the next fifty years, 
and report to us, if you are able, the astonishing 
developments that shall mark that " half time " of 
this world's history. We can specify but very par- 
tially ; yet O ! how like the garden of God would 
be the aspect which Christian lands would wear ! 
Along their length and breadth what precious and 
long-continued revivals of pure religion would soon 
appear, embracing within their influence large mul- 
titudes of every grade of talent and of every degree 
of human wickedness. Especially would a thou- 
sand thousands of the children and youth of Christ- 
endom be converted and given to the Lord Jesus, 
out of whom he would not fail to marshal a " great 
company," and point their young and ardent spirits 
away over the vast field of the world all white to 
the harvest, and all waiting for the reaper's sickle. 
Abroad amid that harvest they would speedily be 
scattered, garnering, with their might, the ripened 
sheaves within the heavenly treasury — sustained, 
amid the burden and heat of the day, by the great 
Master, who will be in the field " working with " 
them, and who will give them wages unto life eter- 
nal. An amount of talent vast and incalculable 
would at once be enlisted, and everlastingly pledged 



FOR THE TIMES. 239 

for the spiritual and immortal interests of mankind ; 
and an influence, strong as the breath of omnipo- 
tence, and such as no former age had ever wit- 
nessed, would sweep in every direction through the 
world. Prayer — the prayer which prevails — would, 
every day and night, rise on the ear of God — a 
cloud of incense ever gathering, and enlarging, and 
deepening, and towering heavenward, and such as 
never before rolled up before the mercy-seat. In- 
finite faithfulness — infinite love and pity could not 
withstand the mighty and unyielding influence. 
Heaven and earth would meet. God would dwell 
among men, and his Spirit would breathe subduing 
and holy whisperings, running along the hills and 
vales of earth. The watchmen, forgetful of their 
minor differences, would see eye to eye — rejoice in 
each other's labours and successes — and, joining 
hands for a single object, would increase and ac- 
celerate a hundred-fold the moral power of the 
Churches. Meanwhile, great and effectual doors 
would open in all directions. Satan's power over 
the princes and tribes of the earth would give way 
— -the advancement of true religion would be sure 
and rapid — a nation would be born in a day — and 
the kingdoms of this world, in quick succession, 
become the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ, 
and the Church of the living God would prepare 
herself to greet the fair morning of millennial glory. 
The delicious anticipations of prophecy would has- 
ten to be answered in joyous realization ; and the 
kingdom, and dominion, and the greatness of the 



240 MINISTER OF CHRIS? 

kingdom under the whole heaven, would be given 
to the people of the saints of the Most High, whose 
kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all domi- 
nions would serve Him. Then the meek would in- 
herit the earth, and delight themselves in the abun- 
dance of peace — sitting, every man, under his own 
vine and fig-tree, having none to make afraid ; and 
there would be naught to hurt or destroy in all the 
holy mountain. 

Should views like these appear, after all, too 
dreamy or fanciful, allow us to venture a sober 
calculation, based upon the hypothesis of perfect 
ministerial devotedness. Let us compute, then 
— though the estimate is far too low — the pre- 
sent number of Protestant and evangelical min- 
isters in the world to be twenty thousand. We 
may reckon the average time which these have yet 
to live and labour to be until 1860. It is a mode- 
rate estimate that, during those ten years, each of 
these entirely devoted ministers will lead at least 
one hundred souls to Christ; thus making the 
whole number converted from 1850 to 1860 to be 
two millions of souls. Making proper allowance 
for deaths and other circumstances, we may, espe- 
cially in a holy Church, under an eminently holy 
ministry, reckon upon one out of twenty of the 
above number of converts, or one hundred thou- 
sand, being called to preach the gospel, and 1865 
to be the average year of commencing their minis- 
try. Estimating, as above, their average term of 
labour to be ten years, and their average usefulness 



FOR THE TIMES. 241 

as before, their converts will, in 1875, amount to 
ten millions. Proceeding with the calculation, and 
allowing the same average amount of time, and the 
same average usefulness to each one, and the same 
proportion of ministers to the whole number con- 
verted, and it will appear that, in the year 1920, 
seventy years from the present date, the number 
of Christians on the earth would be twelve hundred 
and fifty millions, which will, probably, be not far 
from the whole population of the globe at that pe- 
riod of time. Hence, if the above estimates are 
sufficiently moderate, — and I see not but they are 
so, — then this whole world may be evangelized 
within seventy years from this date ; and the chil- 
dren are already born along whose evening of life 
would be shining, in cloudless splendour, the Sun 
of righteousness from pole to pole, wide over this 
redeemed and rejoicing earth. 

! who, being pervaded with the strength of 
the eternal, will rise up — or, rather, who will fail to 
rise, and strike for this great and glorious consum- 
mation ? Who, from the sacred band of " twenty 
thousand," will linger, and query, and doubt, and 
stagger ; and at the last, with scorching tears, steep 
his death-pillow, in bitter remembrance of a life but 
half devoted to a world's eternal rescue ? Long — ■ 
! how long !— has this great cause been lingering, 
while millions on millions of our wicked race have 
been crowding the solemn pathway up to the judg- 
ment-seat ; and still, in ranks dark, and dense, and 
far-reaching, they pass away uncheered— unsaved. 

16 



242 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

The world is not given to the saints of the Most 
High, for they hesitate to go up, in the length and 
breadth thereof, and possess it. At this grave mo- 
ment — this noon of a remote and late-coming centu- 
ry — this old age of time, all appears to be waiting. 
I see an awful finger pointing away, in different di- 
rections, over the world, then lifting itself upward 
toward heaven; while a voice from deep eternity 
steals on the ear and whispers, " Who will go for 
us ?" Who will join hands with the great God in 
making a short work upon the earth ? How many 
will take hold of the arm which is almighty, and 
proceed, in great and good earnest, to wind up the 
affairs of this wicked world, and lead on, presently, 
the promised reign of the Prince of peace ? Must 
it be that centuries, long, and slow, and wretched, 
shall still roll over this sin-stricken world, and the 
bright morning of the saints' immortal festival be 
still deferred ? Is it so that all along those coming 
centuries our poor bodies must still be scattered and 
dissolved within the noisome tomb ? Do we not 
already sympathize as the whole earth groaneth 
and travaileth in pain together until now? And 
while, for long generations, there has been the 
earnest expectation, and the waiting for the mani- 
festation of the sons of God, do not even we our- 
selves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adop- 
tion, to wit, the redemption of our body ? Is not 
this sad pause of centuries in the history of human 
redemption deferring just so long the glorious re- 
surrection, for which the saints of all ages are wait- 



FOR THE TIMES. 243 

ing with " earnest expectation " and intense desire ; 
— deferring just so long the perfect inheritance of 
" the kingdom prepared for them from the founda- 
tion of the world ?" 

Haste we then, with effort strong, united, holy, 
deathless, to bring this world to Christ. Haste ; 
for a righteous God, and his whole vast kingdom 
of righteousness, will approve the enterprise, and 
the eternal throne itself is no more sure than our 
success and triumph. 

And now, finally, had I power, with what deep 
interest would I strike forward, and expatiate, in 
the winding up of this argument, upon the great 
sequel of the faithful minister's history. But how 
shall mortal man venture to tread this holy ground ! 
What adventurous eye shall essay to follow him as, 
weary and sickly — his work completed — his long- 
ing eye turned upward — he puts off the harness of 
warfare, and goes home to God ! Much of the 
scene now is shut away from mortal view. In that 
paradise whither he is " caught up," much that 
exists, and much that passes, is "unspeakable," 
and never yet has been named or imagined in 
earthly circles. It doth not yet clearly appear 
what we shall be. A few visions dim, yet beyond 
measure enchanting, rise upon the sight as the eye 
looks steadily upward. Christ is there — there visi- 
bly in his glorious body — the chief among ten thou- 
sands — the Desire of all nations — the everlasting 
King of glory. Light is there — not that of the sun 
and moon, but the glory of God and the Lamb. 



244 MINISTER OF CHRIST 

There is trie New Jerusalem, with its glorious walls 
and streets of gold. The river of life is there ; 
while stretching afar upon either bank are bloom- 
ing those groves of beauty whose monthly fruits 
are for the healing of the nations. Along the hea- 
venly scenery appear mansions reposing in peace- 
fulness, of architecture divine, and in the prospect 
lovelier far than what was sung of old to be beau- 
tiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth. 
Meanwhile, a strange population is there — a select 
people — the good that, in every nation, have lived 
and died. No sinner is there — no sin — no enemy 
— nothing that defileth — nothing hurtful. No cry- 
ing is there — nor weeping — nor toil — nor fears. 
But holiness is there ; for all are redeemed to God 
by the blood of the Lamb. Beauty is there ; for 
those forms are like unto Christ's glorious person. 
Love and friendship are there ; for these are in- 
separable from heavenly spirits. Rest is there ; 
for the last battle is fought — the last trial has been 
endured— there is no more sorrow and pain, for the 
former things are passed away. Abundance is 
there ; for they hunger and thirst no more, neither 
doth the sun light on them, nor any heat. Music 
is there ; for oft amid those mansions, and along 
the banks of the river of life, swells from delicious 
voices, and from the harps of God, the song of re- 
demption. Worship is there ; for the seer, as he 
listened, heard, away in heaven, a great voice of 
much people, saying, "Alleluia! Salvation, and 
Glory, and Honour, and Power unto the Lord our 



FOE THE TIMES. 245 

God !" And suddenly a great chorus, as the voice 
of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thun- 
derings, rolled back the solemn and glad response, 
" Alleluia! for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth !■" 
Honour and dignity are there ; for we hear of kings 
and priests, and spotless robes, and glorious crowns, 
and victory, and inheritance of all things, and fel- 
lowship with God. Safety, too, is there — a dear 
and precious possession, unknown and unfelt on 
earth, but found and realized in heaven. There 
shall be no more curse. Joy is there — the joy 
which is exceeding — unspeakable — full of glory. 
All is over — all is gained! And immortality is 
there. They die no more. The life there, is life 
eternal. The riches wax not old. The crowns 
fade away — never. The kingdom is everlasting— 
the inheritance is incorruptible — the glory is far 
more exceeding, and weighty, and eternal — the 
reign and the triumph are forever and ever. 

Such are some of the notes of the heavenly hap- 
piness that have been sketched for us on the page 
of revelation. And ! can it be that something 
like this is the sure prospect of the faithful Chris- 
tian, and the faithful minister of the gospel ? Tell 
us — tell us, if it be so, that this — far more than 
this, lies just before the man of God ! Will he not 
only be there presently, but will he be prominent 
there ? Will many a loved one, aided to everlast- 
ing life through his ministrations, greet him at his 
coming ? Dying, will he not merely rest from his 
labours, but will his works follow him ? Shall the 



246 MINISTER OF CHRIST, ETC. 

blessed impulses proceeding from him here, pass 
onward to far distant years, and, in forms of ever- 
growing and immortal loveliness, add a charm un- 
utterable to his heavenly rejoicing? Will there 
be resplendent glory and dignity in the heavenly 
world to the man who, during his day of earthly 
toil and suffering, turns many to righteousness? 
Am I dreaming here, or am I grasping a sublime 
verity, breathed from the lips that cannot lie and 
cannot trifle ? Pity us, God ! and let us not 
sink and faint under a contemplation so awful, and 
beaming with such exceeding glory ! Nerve me to 
save a soul, and to introduce him to the heavenly 
glory ! and when I shall be gone hence, give me, 
at some time, to meet that redeemed spirit in the 
heavenly assemblies, and with him to walk beside 
those peaceful waters, and taste those healing fruits, 
and converse of friends and joys that are never to 
die, and give me to listen as from his harp of im- 
mortality awake the anthems of heaven. Thus let 
me contemplate him from age to age ; and after 
millions on millions of the years of eternity shall 
have passed, let me be near to witness his still ad- 
vancing glory and blessedness, and be a partaker 
of his everlasting joy. Nay, not of his alone. ! 
give me to be thus a partaker of the joy of " many !" 

THE END. 



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